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The Hearth
Chatterbox: Chirp at Cricket
The Hearth
The Hearth
A fire crackles merrily in a stone fireplace, illuminating the cabin living room with gentle golden warmth. Facing it at eager angles are pillows and fluffy blankets, as well as oaken rocking chairs. Upon the hearth sits a bag of marshmallows accompanied by roasting sticks, graham crackers, and chocolate, as well as a couple of old dusty books. Many a story has been shared here at the hearth, as will many a story more...
Welcome to the coziest place in the Chatterbox! This is the place for sharing stories and memories. I thought it would be neat for newer CBers to hear about what the CB was like before they joined...Older CBers can reminisce together, curious CBers can ask questions, and anyone who has a story should tell it!
Anybody's welcome, so come on in and don't forget to grab yourself a marshmallow!
submitted by Micearenice, The CB Hearth
(October 14, 2018 - 11:25 am)
(October 14, 2018 - 11:25 am)
Arwen, the Æ, pushes open the door and stumbles in. She moves towards the fire and sits down, curling up into a ball and wrapping her arms around her legs.
"We never actually got married," she says. "What happened was, when I was a very new Æ--and with a much different personality; I was supposed to be the crazy one--Ashlee brought her Æs back and I got a crush on Zeon. Leafpool gave Ashlee a picture of me and Zeon fell in love, too. It's hard for me to remember now, but we dated for a long time. It was one of the best times of my life. I was pretty immature then, but...." She stops for a moment, while a tear trails down her face. She gulps and continues talking. "After a while, Ashlee's Æ Quill and Clouded Leopard's Æ MewFour got engaged. It was a totally new idea, that Æs could get married, but there were lots of wedding plans and...there was some drama around their wedding, too, but I wasn't there to see most of it happen. But Zeon proposed to me. A little while ago, Leafpool found an old thread that she must have missed at the time, which was a song that Zeon rewrote for me...but anyway. We got engaged. And we were going to get married, and we were planning a double wedding with QuillFour but it never happened. Ashlee had been having very little screen time, as a result of something her family decided to do, and she disappeared for a long time when the wedding was supposed to happen. It was very traumatic and also, I was wondering if we Æs were mature enough to get married. Even though Zeon and I were completely devoted to each other, we were teenagers, obviously, and it might just not have worked. But when Zeon and Ashlee finally came back, we decided to call off the wedding and just keep...going to dances together and things like that. But...it's been a very long time since I've seen him. Very long." Arwen fingers a shark-tooth necklace that she wears around her neck. "That's why I wear this. He gave it to me. He always loved the ocean, and--"
She breaks off and chokes with a sob, turning away from the fire and staring into the darkness. "I wear a black choker necklace, too. To remind everyone that I am never going to love another Æ."
Leafpool steps forward. "It's hard for us. All the Æ and diversity wars that we've gone through and the amounts of Æs that none of us know now and the friends that have left--it's really hard for me to share about the past. I'm not the best at explaining things, and a lot of stuff happened when I was younger and not very good at understanding the CB. I joined around what I consider to be the CB golden age, and it's been hard for me to lose that." She stops talking before she hurts anybody's feelings and steps back, out of the circle. She stands next to Arwen.
Here are a few links, if anyone wants to try to make sense of this...I'm not even quite sure what happened myself. CB history often leaves me shell-shocked.
http://www.cricketmagkids.com/chatterbox/downtoearth/node/248848
http://www.cricketmagkids.com/chatterbox/chirpatcricket/node/257136
http://www.cricketmagkids.com/chatterbox/downtoearth/node/246162?page=1
(October 19, 2018 - 3:39 pm)
"Hmm..." Icy mumbled as she clutched a bag of marshmallows behind her back. She knew that hiding her marshmallows was key to keeping them all for herself.
"In 2016, I think, the CB went through several wars." She accounted while trying to drop a bag of marshmallows into a potted plant's planter. "I remember so much conflict about AEs, CBers leaving, and (later) diversity..." She trailed off, then perched on the mantel while trying to spy the perfect hiding place for her marshmallow bag.
"Yes, they were horrible." She admitted. "Everything was chaotic, and I probably shouldn't bring this to the hearth." She paused to mutter an incantation.
"But because of all that conflict, I got to write a lot of really interesting peace posts. I learned so much about other people, and made new CB friends..." Icy smiled, then yelped as she dropped from the mantel and onto the floor while still clutching the marshmallow bag.
"Those were some of my most heartwarming memories on the CB." She recalled.
She then spilled every single marshmallow in the bag onto the floor, and proceeded to cry.
(October 18, 2018 - 12:30 pm)
Joan instantly jumped off her chair which was warmed by the fire, and ran to Icy. She hugged the sobbing girl tightly. There were no words said. All she knew, was that there was a fellow CBer who needed comfort at the moment.
"I'm sorry Icy." She finally whispered. A few tears also escaped from the strong warrior's eyes, as she held the girl tighter in her arms.
A soft voice in the wind blew, where it came from, no one knew. Yet, it was a calm voice, luring all the CBers to listen quietly.
"Yes, memories hurt. Especially the bad ones. The worst ones. But through those memories-those most horrible times, we have grown. We have strengthened. As a family, and as friends here on the CB. The past hurts. But from it, we learn. And from learning, we grow. So thank you Icy. For telling us about those memories. Because from knowing-these younger and newer CBers can learn and know also about our past-allowing them to not make the same mistakes in the past."
The voice dissapeared into the air, and the CBers went back to silently drinking hot cocoa or talking in hushed voices.
(October 18, 2018 - 2:46 pm)
Gracia listned to everyone recall their memories, eager to hear who was next. Her long, flowing, dark brown hair spilled down around her as she ate endless amounts of chocolate. She grew tired of her armchair and grabbed the cushions from it, conjured a haystack, layed the cushions on the haystack, and sat down again.
(October 18, 2018 - 1:29 pm)
Is this for CB stories only, or are any tales fair game?
(October 18, 2018 - 3:24 pm)
Hey Admins, I'm super curious at the moment but do you have any stories that you would like to share with us CBers?
I'm not sure what kind of story you mean. But here's a nice incident that's fresh in my mind. I was in the locker room at the Y and I overheard a conversation between two people I could not see: Older person: "Would you like me to stay and help you?" A small voice from a much younger person (maybe age 4 to 6?): "Yes, please." Then a pause. Then the little person continued: "Thank you for being so kind to me." I don't think I've ever heard such an appreciative response from such a young person! Children may be trained to say thank you, but "for being so kind to me"? I can still hear that little voice in my head.
Admin
(October 18, 2018 - 5:03 pm)
Aww... that's so sweet! What a cool memory to have! And what a great reminder for us as well!
Thanks for sharing admins! :)
You're welcome. It really made me smile all day and think of all the good things in the world.
Admin
(October 18, 2018 - 7:58 pm)
Tyberious whispers very softly, " sometimes I wish I knew you all, you seem a lot nicer than anyone I know at home..." they look wistfully off, before bending down to help Icy and Joan pick up the Marshmallows. "Five-second rule!" They say while stuffing the bag again with the now floor-marshmallows. Then they reach into a cabinet and pull out some peeps, despite it being October, and hand them to Icy.
" My grandma arrived today, and I'm avoiding going home. You guys feel like family a little more than the angry, raging thing that should be mine." they smile gently, before picking up their cat again, and sitting upright at the foot of the hearth, patting the place next to them, as an invitation for anyone.
(October 18, 2018 - 6:27 pm)
The door creaks open, and a girl in a long indigo cloak dotted in stars enters, pulling back her hood. Jwyn stood there awkwardly, scanning the room. A cozy nest of blankets presented itself, and Jwyn curled up in a corner to listen with the bag of vegetarian marshmallows she had brought. A clank at the other end of the room made everyone jump. A single can of whipped cream had appeared, as well as a black cat, who curled up by the hearth. Jwyn rolled her eyes and nibbled a marshmallow. Gracia and Coroline turned to her.
"Do you have any stories?" Coroline inquired.
"Most likely not any you won't already know. I joined the CB on October 4th, and first made a post on October 16th, also Mice's CBversary." Jwyn sighed, exhausted by the heavy air and her drowsy eyes.
(October 19, 2018 - 8:32 am)
Hello, everyone.
I've been reading this thread for quite some time and deliberating whether or not to post, and if so, what to say. I started writing a roleplay-style post, but it didn't feel right, so I'm just doing this. Sorry to break the flow of things.
I'm curious— Do you all consider me an "older" CBer? I don't feel old. I constantly forget that I'm not a newbie anymore, even though I've been here for three, four, years.
I don't think I'll leave CB anytime soon, but it is still a bit weird and sad and confusing sometimes because most of the CBers I was familiar/friends with left, or aren't as active. I feel like I don't have friends on here like I used to. That's just on me being less active, I hope to get to know every one of you better.
@Joan! Ahh! Hi! I missed you! *tackle hugs* That thread you posted really took me on a trip down memory lane. I'm rereading it now. Ahh, remember when Danie got stuck in a magic ring? And HAB lied and told Spyro the camp was a donut convention? And of course, the Dev/Puck prank war? I loved that. I'm proud to say that I and the ski lodge (sort of) helped to start the Great AE Shippening.
That was such a fun ski lodge, I loved writing it, and such a great group of characters. There were Somebody and Volcano and Shifting Sands (I MISS THEM SM) and Danie and Squeak (remember when everyone thought that Squeak was Danie's actual twin?!) and Shadow, and—
Oh my gosh! Sydney! She was so sweet, I loved her, we were pretty good friends for a while back there! I don't remember if she ever left, but she's just. Gone now, so I guess she must have. And Cayke, oh my goodness. At one point I found her on another website outside of CB and we talked a lot, but it's been a while since then. Same with Danie, though she had already left by that point and she didn't know me well and was probably very confused when I showed up on her profile and was like, "Danie!!! Hi!! Omg!!"
I'm remembering a lot of things all of a sudden. Like St.'s Automatic Voice Messaging System Inc. And Brooke and Masked Piester. And Shifting and Volcano and Fruit Basket. The old AEs were so great. Not that the new ones aren't, there's just a lot more of them now and it's harder for me to keep them all straight in my mind. With the old AEs, I could just see a name and know who they were, you know? They were all very distinct and there weren't as many.
Gah, now I'm sounding like an old grandmother! Okay, okay, enough of that.
Does anyone remember the Hotel LeFaye?! It was a literally amazing ski lodge written by Shadow Dragon, under an alias. I wasn't even in it, but I read it obsessively because it was just so darn good. It even got completed, too.
There are some other things I wanted to say, about wars and the like, but I'll save that for another post, as this is already getting very long. <3
(October 19, 2018 - 9:36 am)
What you said, minus the parts about knowing the CBers on other websites, I think. Yeah, I consider you to be an older CBer. I feel like the "oldie" "middlie" and "newbie" terms have gotten less broad like even if you haven't been here that long, you're still considered to be a middlie and people who have been here for a couple years are oldies, because they've been here for all the conflict and stuff.
And ah yes, Æs. It overwhelms me so much it's hard to go on DtE. :/ I have completely no idea who anybody is now.
(October 19, 2018 - 3:17 pm)
Abi! *tackle hugs back* (Sidenote: Is that ok if I call you Abi? If not, I'll just continue to call you Abigail.) Yes, I do consider you an older CBer.
I totally remember when Danie got stuck in a ring, and when HAB convinced Spyro that it was a donut convention instead of a camp and.... *continues to list of stuff that happened in the ski lodge*
*pauses* Anyways-*sighs* It was just an amazing fantastic time.
I miss Sydney too... she was so amazing!
And also Somebody, and her AEs, and Cayke, and HAB, and Katydid (with her AE Grasshopper) and a bunch of other older CBers (and their AEs)! Man-I can not WAIT for Valentine's day next year!!!! It's going to be so great!!!
Of course I remember the ski lodge Hotel Lefaye! I agree, it was really amazing. I'll try and find the link for people to read it if they want.
Also, do you still have your AEs? Puck has been wondering where all her friends have gone... she misses them. She's seen Leafpool's AEs around, and St. Owl's AEs, but besides that, no one else.
(October 19, 2018 - 4:42 pm)
@Leafpool: Yeah, those terms are all very subjective, I try not to use them, but I was curious. Personally, I have a terrible sense of time, and I still sometimes think of certain people as being new even when they're really not, and vice versa. :P
@Joan: Of course you can call me Abi! That ski lodge was so much fun, I miss it. The prank war was iconic. I miss everyone so much, Valentine's Day is going to be epic! It's insanely soon, goodness. I kept thinking of it as being so far away, something distant and mythical, and now it's coming in, like, four months. My AEs are still here, but they're not very active because their friends aren't. Mandy misses everyone dearly (she's getting very restless), Hobbes pretends not to care but he does, and A... well, to be honest, no one ever knows what's going on in her head.
Oh yes, here's a link to the Hotel LeFaye ski lodge. It's long but 100% worth a read (or at least a skim).
http://www.cricketmagkids.com/chatterbox/puddingsplace/node/178689
(October 19, 2018 - 9:51 pm)
So many amazing stories! I wish I was on the Chatterbox for all those events.
*Grabs another bag of marshmallows, and rocks in her chair.*8,
(October 19, 2018 - 8:26 pm)
Stardust walked in and sat down right next to the fire. She was wearing her coziest fuzzy sweater, and an equally cozy scarf. Her hair was in a low bun today, and she was holding a steaming mug of hot cocoa, with an image of a galaxy on it. She slowly set it down and began to rub her hands next to the fire. Some of the older CBers had been reminscing about things that she'd missed, and she leaned forward to listen to the interesting tales. However, after a few lovely, warmth-filled minutes, something of an awkward silence ensued. Stardust noticed the fire dying down and hastily reached out to tend it with a poker. When she looked up, everyone was looking at her, so she seized the opportunity and began to speak. "I haven't been here very long, perhaps around seven months. I haven't witnessed any wars or weddings. But I remember my first RP, the Cursed RP 3. I think either Gracia or Moonfrost started it, and Darkking was there too." She looked at all three CBers as she said their names. I remember my introduction thread, a few weeks after Alizarine's under the name New B. That was before I even knew that the term newbie was, like A Thing here," she said laughing. "I remember that Starseeker welcomed me and explained things to me and enthused about Wings of Fire to me. To this day, Starseeker is one of the CBers I look up to and admire the most. I have a level of respect for most older CBers, though. I remember that I got a B in digital art last year because I spent too much time on here and not enough time making art..." here she blushed and proceeded to dump a small mountain of marshamallows into her cocoa. "I even tried to introduce my friend to this site, because they were spending so much time online... I thought that if I showed them my online home... I thought maybe I'd understand them more. They made an intro thread, and posted once on the art posting thread... but nothing more. I should've known." She smiled weakly and wiped away a single glistening tear. "But... you guys have always been here for me. I haven't been here long," she said again, looking around... "But it already feels like home here."
(October 23, 2018 - 5:43 pm)