So, *winces* I'm

Chatterbox: Down to Earth

So, *winces* I'm

So, *winces* I'm pretty new to the CB, and I feel super embarrassed about this, but I have a question about something I keep seeing in people's messages. Ok.. *deap breath* Um, what's an AE? Sorry to ask this and I know I probably sound so stupid but I was confused about it.

Thanks to anyone who bothers to read this.

submitted by Hazel Magnolia
(April 7, 2021 - 11:47 am)

back to the Down to Earth

Hi! I am new and was wondering this as well, but I think it means alter ego.

submitted by Wolfy_Walker_7, age 11 winters, she/her
(April 7, 2021 - 4:32 pm)

Hi, Hazel! (is it alright if I call you that?) an AE is basically a character that reflects a piece of your personality. Willow is like my kind and creative side-

Hello there! I hope you're having a lovely day!

And Fern is more impatient and pessimistic-

hi, it's nice to meet you, I guess.

When AEs talk in a CB post, they speak in bold, italic, parenthesis, etc. to set their words apart from the CBer's. 

I hope this helps :) 

hehe, my CAPTCHA says ae 

submitted by Tealeaf, Steeping
(April 7, 2021 - 7:38 pm)

Also Tealeaf, yes, you can call me basically whatever you want (as long as it's not offensive...) :)

submitted by Hazel M
(April 8, 2021 - 8:56 am)

I am welcome to answer! An AE is almost like a character that Chatterboxers talk to during their posts. They can be human, demon, cats, unspecified, anything! So, just another fun thing about the CB :D

submitted by Writing_in_the_dark, age 11, NY but not NYC
(April 7, 2021 - 7:54 pm)

Yeah, AEs are pretty much just CB Alter Egos. They each show a different part of a CBer and they usually all 'speak' differently. This is one of my AEs, Topaz-

Hey, there! I'm Topaz, they/them, nice to meet you!

-they're more of my easygoing, passionate, friendly side. And over here is Jewel-

What's up. Name's Jewel, she/her.

-she's more of my sarcastic, lazy, and book-y side.

I hope this helped with your questions! 

submitted by Silver Crystal, age Infinity, Milky Way
(April 7, 2021 - 9:33 pm)

Thank you all so much! Now I need to come up with ones as good as yours...

~Hazel Magnolia~

submitted by Hazel M
(April 8, 2021 - 8:55 am)

Hey Hazel Magnolia! Don't be embarrased. I asked the same thing on my introductory post. An AE stands for Alter Ego. It's basically a part of your personality, and they talk in different font styles. I have a few: 

Hey, I'm Barnacle. I'm pangolin's mischevious side. 

I'm Koi, the I-want-to-be-left-alone side.

~I'm True, the shy part. I was originally Writing_in_the_Dark's.~

In case you're also wondering what a CAPTCHA is, it's that little box of 5 letters at the bottom of the page when you go to submit that checks if your human. Some CBers name theirs; mine is Knight. She says, <nbuzn> 

Hope I answered your question! Bye! 

submitted by pangolin
(April 8, 2021 - 7:52 am)

I was confused about that too, Hazel Magnolia!

http://www.cricketmagkids.com/chatterbox/chirpatcricket/node/443573 That is a link to a guide that explains a lot about words like that. 

submitted by Dewdrop, age 11
(April 8, 2021 - 9:28 am)

Thanks guys! That was all so helpful, and now I get why people say random things that say like "heeep says eeuw" or something like that :)

 

~Hazel M~

submitted by Hazel Magnolia
(April 8, 2021 - 1:13 pm)

I tried to explain but failed so I deleted it XD listen to everyone else ig. Also, it's totally fine to ask! It took me a while to figure it out too :)

submitted by Starchaser, age 13, Pyrrhia, (she/her)
(April 8, 2021 - 10:37 am)

Hi! No worries, this is absolutely not a stupid question and I'm pretty sure lots of newer CBers are confused about it. :)

AE, as other people have said, stands for alter ego, and it's a character that represents a side of yourself. For example, my AEs, Gale and Breeze, represent my harsh/bossy/grammar-police side and my sensitive/introverted/easily-upset side, respectively. They often talk in bold, italic, or bold italic to stand out from what the CBer is saying in a post. People also often take them to ski lodges* or more AE-centered activities, like AE balls or parties.

Note that there has in the past (even before I joined the CB, which I believe was four years ago) been some conflict about AEs, which resulted in a set of unofficial rules. These include generally trying to have three or fewer AEs, not bringing AEs onto totally unrelated threads, and generally trying to be more creative and less stereotypical in the creation of AEs. You don't need to worry about this, though; the conflicts were a long time ago and everyone's much more chill about AEs now than they were for a while there.

*Ski lodges are murder mysteries where CBers, AEs, and CAPTCHAs** go to a place, traditionally a ski lodge, and the author chooses one of them to be the murderer and kill off everyone else one by one.

**CAPTCHAs are nicknames we give the "what code is in the image?" box. They're usually represented as pets and speak only in five letter words. So, someone might say something like, "Candy (my CAPTCHA) says dmeak!"

submitted by Kitten, age too young, to vote, she/her
(April 8, 2021 - 11:48 am)

I feel you, Hazel! I was just as confused when I joined, but I was too scared to ask. I came upon the ultimate guide. But my AE is itching to introduce herself to you. 

What? Didn't I say this morning that I will not introduce myself or talk to anyone for a week. 

You never said that. 

Yes I did, but fine, Cranberry *sarcastic voice* 

Go ahead. 

My names Ozzy. Nice to meet you. (Not.) 

OZZY! TIME OUT!

Sorry Hazel. You can be sure that Ozzy will be punished for being so rude. 

See ya around! 

submitted by Cranberry, age 13, Pantala
(April 8, 2021 - 1:56 pm)