Backwritten Camp de sol a sol sol a sol ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾𖤓 ⋆⁺₊⋆ 06.12 meeting

[Giavonna "Nonna"]

Said I heed you, your every need
My heart, my liege, mi capitán

.

The morning air was thick with humidity, carrying the scent of rust and filth. Nonna had long grown used to waking beneath the weight of the industrial stink that clung to her kingdom of waste.

The old molly crawled out from between the ribs of a rusted monster, a breeze brushing against her dangling cheek fur. Her twilight eyes swept across the clearing, watching as life stirred—crawling from the cracks like roaches after dusk. She hobbled slowly across the cleaning and up the ramp of garbage to her upholstered throne.

With a soft sigh, Nonna eased herself onto the seat, crossing her forepaws delicately as she looked down at the flocking faces. They ought to know the drill by now. She waited patiently, giving the younger cats time to settle—some perched below, others lounging, a few still shifting on restless paws.

When all had gathered, she cleared her throat. A gentle telling of idle chatter to cease, and wandering to return to her. "A good morning to you my family." She greeted them first, her weary eyes crinkling with the warmth of an aged smile.

There are mere seconds before she gets down to matter. "It has come to my attention that there has been more activity than usual near the twoleg place. No outsiders have strayed onto our patch yet, but if you spot any cat creeping too close, you may issue a stern warning—a warn-ing." She emphasizes the last word a little more clearly, eyes shifting between some of the more… excitable faces in the crowd.

"That does not necessarily mean blood needs to be spilled, my dears. For now, it may still benefit us to be on friendly terms with our neighbors. We will pay them a visit soon." That was not all she hoped to gain from a visit, but that could remain between herself and the envoy she chose to send.

She let that hang in the air a moment before continuing. "Which brings me to our next discussion. Our family has grown such that what meager scraps we find within the current bounds can no longer sustain us. That need will only grow more dire in the coming moons after the bounty of greenleaf wears off. I want us to expand and explore our options." Her eyes scanned the crowd, making her selection appear more random than it is.

"Ah, Melinoe." She rasped, offering the soldier an unassuming smile. A strong set of shoulders—fit for getting things done and done right. And yes, perhaps she was a touch bitter that they declined her generous offer to join her council, but that is neither here nor there. In Nonna's eyes, work had a way of finding its way into the laps of the capable, willing or not.

"You will take a group into the woods beyond the fence. So you will not be lonely, I will send Gaia and Minty. Select a pawful more to join you then go have a look around and lay our claim." A flicker of worry tugged at her chest—sending her children into unknown danger was never easy—but it couldn't be helped. They were not kits anymore. All of her blood were strong and capable, some with a touch more enthusiasm than the rest. Putting her feelings aside, Giavonna knew they would do just fine. All there was to do now was to still her heart and weather on.

"Firefly will arrange the other patrols in the coming sunrises, be ready." Her tone shifted into something more serious, eyes narrowing. "Lastly—I am in need of more helping paws. I already have two very capable enforcers, but I fear these old bones cannot pull the weight that they used to." Nonna sighed dramatically. "All I ask of you is to show that you are willing by working hard. Show me your teeth—your spirit—your dedication! Nonna sees all in this junkyard. I promise she will see you." And with that, she leaned back into the cushions, donning a more relaxed smile. The major dismisses them with a flick of her paw. "That is all." With that, she flexes her stiff limbs and rises from the perch. Gradually encouraging her old bones to descend back down the mound.

I'm late to post this but we're all just gonna pretend I'm totally on time.

Speech, thoughts/emphasis

132 MOONS

🌣

RUSTCLAWS

🌣

SONG

🌣

bio

 

[Bullet]

Gotta hit the ground before the moon comes down. Get your beak into the dirt.
'Cause the birds out there still waking up are the last to get their worm

---

BULLET, He/Him / 42 moons / Rustclaw - Scavenger
Red/Black tortoiseshell (where the pattern looks like a hardhat), has some light scarring on their muzzle and dull orange-yellow eyes
Son of TANK & CASTLE, sibling to BUNKER & FORT
A bold and strict cat, stubborn and takes his beliefs or code incredibly seriously, fiercely loyal to those he cares for
Tagging [@]

---

It was typical of Bullet to be among the first to attend a meeting called by the Major. "Alright you little rascals, TEN-HUT! The Major has requested our presence." He was looking after some of the younger members, a few kittens that had taken a shine to him and how he was doing things... Even if they treated it more like a game since they were too young to really get the significance of his punctuality, posture and reverence to their leader. Each of them squeaked a little 'ten-hut!' at varying levels of correct to incorrect pronunciation with a few giggles thereafter before they settled down.

As rigid and 'by-the-book' as he could be, even Bullet had to take some small pride in being looked up to and giving the youth of this rag-tag group of junkyard survivors proper direction. Legends said that he cracked a smile, but who knows how true such legends are?

While he kept silent, Bullet wasn't a fan of other groups thinking they could get a bit too comfortable around this area, for it was not theirs it belonged to the Rustclaws, it was fought and clawed for! Still, Bullet would accept that a warning would be enough. It wasn't as though he was one to pick a fight at random like some of his cohorts, he was just incredibly territorial. Hell, he wouldn't blame other groups all that much for the same thing so long as they actually kept to their territories. Maybe being on more amicable terms would make it easier to scavenge, especially in the coming moons, so Bullet could see the value in that too— so long as those outsiders didn't step out of line!

News for patrols would come soon, everything else seemed to be business as usual, that is until the Major brought up the enforcers. Bullet had to admit he was curious about it, and a measly two hardened enforcers would hardly be all too intimidating. He was already a diligent and devoted member of the Rustclaws, potentially being an enforcer in the future would help him set an example for others... Yes, he would keep this in mind.

After the Major rounded the meeting off, Bullet waited a moment before turning to face the kittens that had followed him. "At ease. Did you get all of that? You have to stay safe as we figure out how the outsiders operate. Learn well, grow strong and maybe when you're older the Major will call on you directly." The kittens giggled and wriggled around a bit but they seemed to get it as they nodded and looked up at Bullet with their big ol' eyes saying some vaguely harmonized yet out of time 'yes sir!' in response. "Very good. DIIIIISMISSED!"

---

And even when the table's full, only the foolish slow-down—
I've been around long enough to know there ain't enough to go 'round!

 

[Brick Brick]

Time to get busy,
such a lot to do!

​

---

BRICK, He/Him / 27 moons / Rustclaw - Scrap Collector
A scrappy cinnamon tortoiseshell with low white, has messy whiskers and blue eyes.
He doesn't talk about his birth parents.
Be warned, he will build something. It might not be great, but he will build it.
Tagging [@]

---

Brick was up to his usual business, working on something strange with an unknown purpose, but this particular project didn't look even remotely complete— if nothing else it just looked like a slightly artistic pile of nonsense and trash. He furrowed his brow in annoyance, looking around his work, circling around it as if he was hunting down the solution to his problem. "Blrlrlblrblrlrbppffft" He indignantly did the cat equivalent of blowing a raspberry at it. "Probably don't have enough pieces yet. Might start again..." Examining the stuff he had gathered, he slowly broke it down and shoved everything aside near the rest of his works in progress in his area. Maybe he could find something in the yet to be sorted trash that resulted in a breakthrough?

He would have to consider that later, as Nonna called for a meeting! Noticing that his fellow Rustclaws were congregating closer and closer towards Nonna's fallen monster den (probably the coolest place to sleep ever), Brick hurried along to see what was up.

So there was more activity just beyond the junkyard? Was it those goofy kittypets again? Brick never really understood what those cats were doing, but so long as they didn't bug him he saw no reason to bug them. If any of them were dumb enough to intrude on the territory Nonna had cultivated then they'd be in for a rude awakening! Smart cats should know not to mess with the Rustclaws after all. That being said, Brick could certainly be friendly, so as far as he was concerned this would not be an issue for him.

A group would be assembled to scope things out, and Nonna called on one of the only cats from Brick's past that he cared to see, the one he once knew as Birch, now Melinoe. Nonna was sending her off alongside Gaia and Minty plus a few more. So where would they be going?

Brick's fur bristled all of a sudden as he repressed a snarl. "The woods..." He huffed, looking away from Nonna as she gave the order to Melinoe. It was Brick's way of saying he wanted nothing to do with that, both Nonna and Melinoe would know why that is. Another cat stepped forward near Brick having seen his reaction, it was Rivet, one of the other field medics—

---

Building

and

fixing

'til

it's

good

as

new!

​

 

[Rivet Rivet]

Have you ever felt like nobody was there?
Have you ever felt forgotten in the middle of nowhere?

---

RIVET, She/Her / 22 moons / Rustclaw - Field Medic
Cream ticked tabby with high white and several scars with heterochromatic eyes (green & dark green), wears an old black studded collar.
Daughter of BURRATA & MASCARPONE, Sibling to RASCHERA, Aunt to PERCORINO
A rather reserved cat due to her past, tends to speak minimally and only when necessary, her field medic specialization is for kit-birth and care for kittens & queens
Tagging [@]

---

Rivet wandered over to Brick after she saw his reaction to what their leader was saying, hoping to get his attention and offer some support. In a rare moment, Rivet addressed him directly with more than three words. "Brick. You don't have to worry. Melinoe won't ask you to go there. You know that." She at least hoped that she was correct. Melinoe was hard to read at the best of times, but Rivet understood that Brick knew Melinoe. From her perspective the two didn't seem close or anything, but there was some sort of mutual respect between them. Rivet wasn't one to pry into it, she only knew what Brick had briefly told her— that the Forestdwellers were untrustworthy.

All in all, Rivet just wished that the two would eventually heal and no longer be plagued by the lore they scarcely speak of. She knew the bite of past trauma too, after all.

"I have to find some more herbs anyway. I'll volunteer if it puts you at ease." Rivet nodded to Brick, who had thankfully calmed down, before walking over to where Melinoe was.

With a small nod to Melinoe, Rivet spoke up, again, rare. "I'll go." Or maybe not, just going with two words was pretty regular for Rivet.

---

Have you ever felt like you could disappear?
Like you could fall, and no one would hear?

 

[MELINOE]

​

Once the sun rose, the junkyard began to crawl with life—scrawny, starving strays dragging themselves from their hidey-holes to bask beneath their withering banner.

Melinoe watched dully, sprawled halfway out of a gutted washing machine that stank of rust and mouse piss. Her jaw cracked wide in a yawn, flashing yellowed teeth before snapping shut with a soft smacking.

The old bat made her grand ascent like a queen returning to court and settled into her throne of trash. Nonna's voice rolled across the clearing, sweet as ever—layin on that chosen-family bullshit she liked to sugarcoat everything with before gettin' down to business.

There was always something that needed doing, this morning was no different. But unlike every other meeting, her name rang out across empty space.

"Ah, Melinoe."

A long, slow blink. Her jaw went slack for half a second before she forced it shut. She pushed herself upright with a roll of her shoulders, swallowing the sigh that pressed at the back of her throat.

Nonna smiled down at her. Melinoe returned it with a strained smile of her own. "Yes, major." She muttered through a tight jaw.

She could feel it—stares burning holes through her pelt. Bunch of diehards, frothing for the chance to lick their betters' paws. How many of them would've jumped off a cliff if their dear Nonna asked them to? Mel had made it pretty damn clear she didn't want the extra work when it was offered, but why the fuck did she even bother? Real haha funny how she turned down a promotion and still ended up doing the heavy lifting.

Her eyes drifted through the crowd, landing on Gaia and Minty, brow lifting slightly . Well, at least the selected company was easy enough on the eyes. Maybe they didn't like her much but that didn't bother Mel any. Still, she would've rather not have to go at all. Never mind that she still had to pick the rest of the patrol. What a pain in the ass.

There were a few she didn't mind so much—Brick was alright—but the scrap had been through enough. The look on his face confirmed it. He wasn't going, and Mel didn't blame him for not wanting to.

Mel stretches, claws dragging deep lines in the side of the painted metal until her spine pops. "Of course, major." She grunts, an exasperated growl rumbling under her breath. Of course.

SHE/THEY ⊹ RUSTCLAWS ⊹ SOLDIER

 

[Rachet Rachet]

———————————— What a waste, what a waste to be so alone. ✦

The molly's ears perked as she heard the Major's voice. She had been sitting discussing with some of her friends about their plans for the day. But of course, their discussions fell silent, looking up to Nonna for her announcements.

Though the immediate mention of the strange cats in the nearby forests made her sit up a little straighter. She had seen these very cats, watching from the sidelines as she hunted and... Scouted the area. Rachet had mentioned it only vaguely, apprehensive to discuss too much. She wrapped her tail around her paws, trying not to stir too much as Major Nonna continued.

Of course, she nodded along, patrols to see these cats seemed wise, make the Rustclaw borders more solid, respected. They had physical barriers, but outside the fence might be a free-for-all all if these strangers decided to trespass too close. Maybe she could request to come along for one of these, knowing where the strangers were meant she could avoid them when out. She was a strong cat, but her barely healed wounds would make it harder to fight, and it was the last thing she wanted to do than cause herself more damage or grief getting into an unneeded spat.

Nonna spent time discussing directly with some of her enforcers and the Lieutenant, until announcing she was looking to strengthen her numbers with more enforcers. It was an intriguing thing, a possibility even, but it wasn't something Rachet would force herself into overtime to get a scrap of a chance to achieve.

She was fine spending her days paws deep in the Junkyard in search of useful scavenging for the family. Unless an Enforcer could do both, she wasn't too fussed about upheaving her life now. She had just barely gotten back into it, to the chagrin of some others after her accident when a twoleg had abandoned some foul, burning liquid that had left much of her face and chest burned to the skin, still raw and red but healed enough she didn't need to waste any more of Socket's precious medicine. And, after all, she would rather be the one in the scrap risking herself again rather than some poor little fellow getting themself hurt.

It was following then that the meeting was over, just as quick as it had begun, so it felt. She bowed her head respectfully in a thanks to their Major for her time. For a moment, she had turned to her friend whom she was going to continue their plans, only to watch Bullet and some small assortment of young cats in their usual rather over-the-top militaristic displays. It was just what Bullet was like, to the point and by the book, but tiny little cats mimicking him brought a smile to her maw as she chuckled lightly.

They had almost all grown too large for the nursery den; she had been bringing bedding in often during her scrap picking when Nonna had her first selection of it, and day by day less and less little faces stared up at her. She thought back to the Major's playful tone with her daughter about grandkits, the little raccoon plush she had found. The molly wondered when the next litter of little things would join the clan. Their life wasn't exactly a cushy one, but Rachet thought seeing bright little faces brought a little more light into the Junkyard. But the thought was pushed away, Rachet looking to her friend as she rose to her feet.

"I think I may volunteer to join one of those patrols... I'll have to talk with Melinoe perhaps." Her eyes darted to the gruff Moll, there was a sort of expression on her face, not so different to the usual scowl she wore, and she thought against talking to her for now, her mind wandering to something else. "Though I've something else I gotta do, I'll be back later." She smiled, as best she could with her scarred lips, it seemed almost a snarl, but those who knew her well knew that would only be earned if someone really got under her skin. Rachet's ire wasn't the easiest thing to earn, but those who had known better now. The molly's tail flicked as she began to pad away from the scattering of cats after the meeting, preoccupied with something that had come to mind.

————— All the corners of you,

all the bones that I knew. ——————

• 
  Rachet
  ✦—Rustclaw Scrap collector | ~30 moons
  ✦—She/Her
  ✦—"SPEECH", 'THOUGHTS', ATTACK
  ✦—A longhaired flamepoint with teal eyes and significant scarring.
  #f2e679

 

[Socket]

why you lookin here

The meetings are something that Socket is used to by now, formal and something that the majority of the cats within the care of himself and Nonna have grown accustomed to by now. Some find them boring - it can be seen in their eyes, their posture, the way they drag their paws to appear when called - others find it exciting and a pleasure to be at - the younger members of the group are of note here, eyes round and full of promise, full of questions as they listen to what is being said and curious about what tales the patrols will bring back, what treasures could be found, what new faces could follow them back whether they be friend or foe.

It's more simple today, news of cats along their borders and a request to check them out, to be careful, to keep gathering food as new faces have appeared and the bounty of greenleaf will end eventually - both in terms of herbs and prey Socket takes note - and a small nod of the Surgeon's head can be seen as he makes a mental note within his head of who is tasked with a patrol and who volunteers to go with. He'll have to gather his field medics later to have them gather more herbs, gather resources in general, but for now they were fine... for now they could be used elsewhere. As the meeting is dismissed Socket disperses and goes to count herbs to double check to make sure, differing thoughts on his mind.