Chatterbox: In This Month's Issue

October MCU ~

(Curtains rise, spotlight falls to a singular person—Scene 1, Act 1)

Hello everyone, and thank you for taking your time to watch this play! Here’s a warm welcome to the October MCU, the most fabulous monthly-check-up! I’ll start with introductions: I’m Moon Wolf, your gracious host, along with my helpers/actors, my AEs…

(AEs enter one by one from stage right before they start to speak) 

-Hey there. I’m Lyra, she/her. I do hope the other AEs will turn it down this time around.-

_I’m certain we’ve matured and learned more since our last time we did this. I’m Aries, he/him, ready to get this rolling, especially the curtains._

(I’m…Crescent. She/her. I’ll be in charge of the music while you read, or watch this MCU.( 

(lofi autumn music turns on, and the audience is advised to do so as well)

=Callisto here, he/him. If you see any technical things like sound effects and the spotlight, it will probably be me. And anything logical in general.=

*Right…as if! Hello everybody!!! I’m Astra, she/her! I love animals and nature, especially those beautiful colors in the fall…(sprinkles fall leaves everywhere)*

;’Sup, I’m Orion, he/him. I’ll be adding to the chaos here. >:);

+And I’m Rigel, she/her. Now that we’ve finally introduced everyone, we can start.+

Now, let’s all have a moment of silence for Ella Starburst, the original author of these lovely MCUs. (silence for a few seconds, before chaos begins to ensue) Right, can’t contain yourself for more than a few seconds, I see. Anyways, thanks, Ella!

We’ll kick this off with some Important Dates, in which I compiled from mainly Rainbow and a few others (cue Scene 2, where a couple of AEs roll out a large calendar):

Oct 1 - National Raccoon Day (Cloud Bunny) and International Coffee Day (zoba) *Some people just need their caffeine, I suppose! For me, I just run on sunlight and pies. And raccoons are so cute!* -I honestly might start needing some coffee after this.-

Oct 2 - National Random Acts of Poetry Day (Rainbow) +I love poetry! Especially random acts. Such as this haiku.+

Oct 2-4 - Rosh Hashanah (Rainbow)

Oct 5 - World Teachers’ Day (Amethyst) (Go send them a note or email of appreciation!(

Oct 7 - National Inner Beauty Day (Rainbow) *Because we all have inner beauty!*

Oct 9 - Curious Events Day (zoba) _Curious about what they include? Stay tuned to find out more…some day._

Oct 10 - Mental Health Awareness Day (Lord Entropy) =Indeed, very important.=

Oct 11 - National Coming Out Day (Rainbow) *wildly waves pan flag* (Shyly adds in an omni flag(

Oct 11-12 - Yom Kippur (Rainbow)

Oct 16 - National Dictionary Day (Rainbow)

Oct 16-23 - Sukkot (Rainbow)

Oct 17 - National Black Poetry/Poets Day (Rainbow) +Support all the poets!+

Oct 19 - National LGBTQ Center Awareness Day (Rainbow)

Oct 20 - National Youth Confidence Day (Rainbow) ;cOnfIdEnCe!!;

Oct 21 - Back to the Future Day and National Reptile Awareness Day (Rainbow) *yay reptiles!*

Oct 22 - National Color Day (Rainbow) =Nice one.= -My favorite color’s purple.-

Oct 23-25 - Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah (Rainbow)

Oct 26 - National Pumpkin Day and Make a Difference Day (Rainbow) +Yes, you can make a difference as well!+

Oct 28 - International Day of Animation (zoba)

Oct 31 - Halloween (Piano Man and Lord Entropy) ; Spoopy day!; and National Girl Scout Founder’s Day

October is also mental health and reading group month. (Thanks Rainbow!)

_Well, that went relatively smoothly. More than I expected._

;Not for long!!! (throws a pumpkin pie into the air, splattering pumpkin everywhere, including on the calendar);

*Hey!! That was the pie I saved to celebrate after the MCU!*

+Now, I think we should all calm down…+

(With some music, perhaps. In fact, how about this month’s playlist?(

Great idea, Crescent! (phew, some chaos averted) Here is the monthly playlist, thanks to zoba_tea (cue Scene 2, Act 2, where the calendar is moved off and playlist music begins to play):

Je Te Laisserai Des Mots - Patrick Watson

Baker - aimee

Where's My Love - SMYL

Dandelions - Ruth B. *’Cause I’m in a field of dandelions~*

The Moss - Cosmo Sheldrake

 

;(begins to sing loudly off-tune to the monthly playlist songs) I paIntEd moUntAIns—;

 

=Please, no more. Perhaps we should do some…(attempts to ask for script using hand motions)=

 

-Sorry, can’t understand you. Maybe it’d be clearer if you expressed yourself in words?-

 

Or maybe quotes? (cue for Scene 3, where AEs start piling random books in a corner) Heh, speaking of which, book quotes by Sempreverde!

 

“The braided tortoise strikes again!” -The Westing Game (Ellen Raskin)

 

“The Hunduns were coming. A whole herd of them, rumbling across the wilds, stirring up a large storm of dust through the night. Their rotund, faceless bodies, made up of spirit metal, glinted under the silver half-moon and sky full of glittering stars.” -Iron Widow (Xiran Jay Zhao)

 

“Say you’re in a massive bunker made out of some material that can withstand thousand-mile-per-hour winds. That’s good, and you’d be fine. . . if you were the only one with a bunker. Unfortunately, you probably have neighbors, and if the neighbor upwind of you has a less-well-anchored bunker, your bunker will have to withstand a thousand-mile-per-hour impact by their bunker.” -What If? (Randall Munroe)

 

“The best thing in the world is a party, except when you’re the youngest person there and everyone wishes you would go away.” -Fox Snare (Yoon Ha Lee)

 

And more from zoba~

 

We learn more from our failures than from our success. - The Thing About Jellyfish

 

Sometimes in the middle of the night, the sun can seem like it was only ever a dream. We need something to remind us that it still exists, even if we can't see it. We need something beautiful hanging in the dark sky to remind us there is such a thing as daylight. - The Wingfeather Saga, The Warden and the Wolf King.

 

+Ah, I just love book quotes. And books in general.+

 

And inspirational quotes by zoba, said by zoba:

 

Never forget the love of a mother, it is one that cannot be replaced. Even if it's not from your real mom, you'll know it when you feel it.

Hold close the ones you love dear, they are precious.

 

Everything will be explained, now stop asking questions and watch the movie. ;Indeed! Now let the chaos commence! (throws popcorn everywhere);

 

And CB quotes by CelineBurningBright!

 

"One of the nicest things about writing is the way that it can be about anything you want. Suppose you're writing a really happy story where the main characters go to gorgeous expensive hotels, travel around Italy, and fall in love, all on an apparently nonexistent budget. "But real life isn't like that!" objects a realist.

You smile serenely. "Well, in this story, it is," you say.

"Are you sure?" persists the Skeptical Realist.

"Yes," you say simply. "Because I say so."" - Poinsettia, Writing Group!

 

"I don't know if any of you live in Florida but I do and there's a killer hurricane about to hit and it's really inconsiderate because I'm trying to get my thirty minutes of violin practice in rn!!!" - Cocoa Cat, Random Thoughts/Things *Stay safe y’all!*

 

"(Context: It's spirit week at my high school and today is "Centerian Wednesday", so we're supposed to dress up like old people... for some reason)

NO ONE IS DRESSED UP BRO-

All I've got is a cardigan and a piece of paper that says "No, this is not a costume (I'm chronically ill)"

...

I like to think I'm funny *waves cane*" - Writing_in_the_Dark, Random Thoughts/Things

 

"the needle felted dragon which I poured my heart and soul into bringing into this world... *points angrily at the cat, Muffin* that beast ate it! that terrible monster destroyed that which I held most dear! you, beast, shall henceforth be known as the devourer of the innocent! shame on thee!" - Darkvine, Random Thoughts/Things ;How dreadful indeed.;

 

"I know this makes me a huge nerd but our Latin homework was to annotate a passage of Caesar's Gallic Wars and it was honestly such a relaxing experience? Annotating things in English is no fun but it's really nice just getting to color code and make little grammar notes about the clauses and verbs and stuff in Latin" - Vi, Random Thoughts/Things 

 

"Etymology? I've been summoned! I assume you were wondering whether it was related to the word hearse, and I can tell you that, yes, if you go far enough back, it is! Both ultimately come from Oscan, through the Latin word hirpex, meaning harrow (a tool used to break up clods of earth or dig up weeds before seeds are planted), presumably because a hearse is used at burials, when a coffin is being "planted" in the ground. Rehearse (and by extension rehearsal), meanwhile, comes from a related old French word meaning "to rake over" or "to turn over", which eventually also gained the meaning "to go over again" or "repeat". Thus, we get the modern word rehearse and its meaning of going over a performance!" - Vi, Random Thoughts/Things =Etymology certainly is interesting!=

 

Anyways, through these dreary autumn days, if you’re ever bored—

 

_Bored? Never!_

 

If you are, then perhaps you need some Threads-to-Check out! (Scene 3, Act 2, light, cheery music plays as the book pile grows ever bigger) Thanks Seadragon for these:

 

Pudding's Place:
Art posting by Lap R.
http://www.cricketmagkids.com/chatterbox/puddingsplace/node/212426
Poetry contest by Booksy Owly +Poetry!!!+
http://www.cricketmagkids.com/chatterbox/puddingsplace/node/301121

Inkwell
Worldbuilding thread by Sempreverde
http://www.cricketmagkids.com/chatterbox/inkwell/node/580886
Take a bullet by Jaybells ;I will indeed…maybe made of slime or pie—;
www.cricketmagkids.com/chatterbox/inkwell/node/509273

Kyngdom
Art thread by Ronan I
http://www.cricketmagkids.com/chatterbox/kyngdom/node/221256
Nobyl RP by Poinsettia
http://www.cricketmagkids.com/chatterbox/kyngdom-rp/node/542334

Down to Earth
Hilarity thread by Poinsettia
http://www.cricketmagkids.com/chatterbox/downtoearth/node/583980
CBer Student Lounge by Fidelity
http://www.cricketmagkids.com/chatterbox/downtoearth/node/451029

Blab about Books
book log 2024! by pangolin
http://www.cricketmagkids.com/chatterbox/blababoutbooks/node/562438
Book quotes thread by Hummingbird
http://www.cricketmagkids.com/chatterbox/blababoutbooks/node/423622

Chirp at Cricket
Which Book Are You? by Moon Wolf +Hey that name seems familiar…(glances at yours truly)+
http://www.cricketmagkids.com/chatterbox/chirpatcricket/node/584862
Autumn Q&A by zoba_tea *Perfect for fall!*
http://www.cricketmagkids.com/chatterbox/chirpatcricket/node/583992

This Month
High School thread (shows up as High SchoolS) by Periwinkle
http://www.cricketmagkids.com/chatterbox/thismonth/node/582687
Middle School thread (shows up as I start middle) by AmberFox:
http://www.cricketmagkids.com/chatterbox/thismonth/node/580939
Admins Questions thread by Tsuki the Skywolf
http://www.cricketmagkids.com/chatterbox/thismonth/node/4972

 

+The fall weather really just makes me want to cozy up in a quiet corner with a book. But what should I read? There are so many options…+

 

Well, I have the perfect answer for you: the Book of the Month by anastasia! (cue Scene 4, Act 3, where all the AEs go to the book pile to search for the one book of the month)

 

=Found it! It is: = 

 

The Sun Is Also A Star ~ Nicola Yoon

Two people, Daniel Bae and Natasha Kingsley, spend one day together in New York. Natasha is facing deportation back to Jamaica, and Daniel is dealing with his problematic family. One a cynic, one a hopeless romantic, each wanting something more than the life they're currently living. This book is technically a romance, but it's focused on things much bigger than that. If you're into theories and paradoxes, I think you'll like it a lot. 

 

-I will certainly add it to my reading list.-

 

(curtains fall briefly before rising again to Scene 5, where it is empty once more, with a scenic background of autumn landscape in the back) Finally, we come to your lovely responses to the October MCU questions! I’ll let my AEs present this, which may not go well but—

 

*Too late! I’ll start with the LMWAY, which stands for Last Month We Asked You. The question was: How do you celebrate the arrival of autumn? I certainly know how I do—I tumble in the leaves, I bake pies, I—*

 

=Ahem. Remember these are the readers’ responses.=

 

*I was getting to that!!! Well, here they are:*

 

Amethyst says: I rake, and rake, and rake... /jk :D I don't usually do much, but I do start writing tons of autumn-inspired poetry, and someone in my family usually bakes an apple pie. *Ah, I love baking apple pies! As I said before-*

 

Pangolin says: drink CHAI!! and go hiking and admire the foliage, if i get the chance :D *Yes, go hike and admire nAtuRe!*

 

Lord Entropy says: they have these pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, i just down a couple dozen, put on my witches hat and feel real genuine happiness like im an overflowing pitcher of joy *mmm cookies…*

 

Sempreverde says: Go hiking! I love hiking… *Like I said before, DO IT!*

 

+I’ll do the advice column, I suppose. We asked what your tips are for staying on task with everything (like school and other activities). We received some tips: +

 

Amethyst says: This is exactly what I need advice on. I'd say plan ahead; make sure you know what you need to do in one day and how much of your time it will take, and plan around that. Or, alternatively, throw your homework and agenda in the bin and watch Frozen II, and when your teacher asks for your homework, say "Elsa froze it" XD +Planning ahead is important. Especially listing whatever you need to do and prioritizing. Or coming up with clever excuses.+

 

Pangolin says: i procrastinated answering this question because i didn't know what to write, but the best i can come up with is...don't procrastinate +Glad you still ended up doing it!+

 

Lord Entropy says: hoo boy I'm not the person to give that kind of advice, im pretty much terrible. but i keep a planner, which does help +Good idea!+

 

Rainbow says: heh I'm bad at this but like setting timers so it's like a race against yourself to finish the tasks. Like, I think my bio hw will take me 20 mins, so I set a timer for 20 mins and try to finish all of it in that time (if I guessed wrong then I can add more time but I can't let myself get distracted or else the timer will run out and I won't win). Also, make sure you write down/keep track of assignments. I can never remember to actually pull out a planner during the school day and esp after school so I have a lil sticky note tapes to the blank spot of the keyboard of the computer so I can write them down there bc I'll def see that bc otherwise "outta sight outta mind" :) +I can relate to that.+

 

Sempreverde says: set a schedule? Also, now that school starts later, I can do violin practice in the morning and avoid procrastinating about it in the afternoon. +That’s really great!+

 

+Remember it’s important to not procrastinate! (cough) Like this MCU! Though for some funny reason, I find myself precrastinating sometimes…+

 

;The Joke Column is next!! Let’s see what bad puns or amazing jokes you came up with!;

 

Piano Man says: What do you call a vampire that lives in the kitchen? Count Spatula! ;Seems like I’m the vampire who lives in the kitchen. Probably why the apple cider is already empty.;

 

Pangolin says: Why did Humpty Dumpty have a great fall? To make up for his terrible summer! ;And that is why I like to go on trips during fall break.;

 

Lord Entropy says: what's a ghosts favorite fruit boo berry it's boo berry okay ill see myself out ;Want to know what a ghost panda likes to eat? Bamboo.;

 

Rainbow says: Q: what's black and white and red all over?   a: a newspaper  q: what's black and white and black and white and black and white and black and white and black and white and green?      a: 5 nuns fighting over a pickle (one of my choreographers told me that one yesterday) ;That’s a good one.;

 

Hawkstar says: What is a ghost's favorite food? Spook- hetti! ;Delicious and already gone, invisible.;

 

Cloud Bunny says: What's a ghost's least favorite room? The living room! ;What about their favorite? An elevator? Because it lifts spirits?;

 

-I’ll help with the LotM. Let’s see what the script says…”Where will you be in October?”-

(All these locations were great. It was rather hard to choose…(

 

_But we collectively went with:_

 

Honorable Mention (in no particular order):

 

Lord Entropy’s “trick/treating”! ;It’s always nice to play tricks on people during Halloween. Though also a classic to give people treats as well. 

 

Cloud Bunny’s “Under the Red Leaves”! +Always beautiful and seasonal, an intense and striking color for October.+

 

Pangolin’s “in orange candlelight”! -Delightfully whimsical, cozy, and a great October touch. And an amazing place to read as well.-

 

Rainbow’s “Riding a pumpkin carriage”! (I love the touch of fairy tale to the overall October-themed location. And congrats on your show!(

 

In third place, we have…Hawkstar with “barfing pumpkin guts”! _I enjoyed the touch of humor and how it includes the messiness of preparing pumpkins for October!_

 

In second place, we have…Sempreverde with “russet red forests”! =I appreciate the location of forests filled with warm hues, highlighting the October atmosphere.=

 

And in first place, drumroll please, we have…

Amethyst with “walkways of golden leaves”! *I LOVE the imagery of just strolling through a path covered in golden leaves. It captures the essence of fall in a peaceful way with the feeling of seeing trees shed their leaves with the crisp October air.*

 

(wild applause is heard, from both sound effects and the AEs) I suppose this concludes this grand and amazing MCU. Unless the script is off…

 

-I did check more than once. But you never know, maybe we went off-script. We always do.-

 

+Might need a little lesson from Pudding.+

 

Aside from the possibility of error, or shall I say, chance for improv, that’s it! 

 

*(flings more fall leaves everywhere) Wasn’t it amazing??*

 

;The best month of tricks (and treats!);

 

_And the first new month where P.S., we all finally got shipped!_

 

-Well, I hope Moon Wolf doesn’t introduce another AE because of that. But knowing the patterns…-

 

For now, enjoy the peace during this month. Time to head off stage and roll the credits!

 

(Wait, we didn’t reserve any scene specifically for the credits—(

 

-Suppose we’ll have to do it manually. I’ll start: Lyra - the Playwright of this script-

 

_And Aries - Curtain Master, to a spoopy spooktober._

 

(Crescent - Director of Music, currently playing the credits music that most people don’t pay attention to.(

 

=Don’t worry, Cress, I do. Sometimes. Callisto - Technical Expert and Sound Effects Manager=

 

*Astra - the amazing Production Designer who painted that super cool autumn landscape and put all the leaves everywhere. Bye everyone!*

 

;Orion - Chaos Master!!! Finishing up with some last pieces of pumpkin pie!;

 

+Rigel - Choreographer and Stage Manager. By the way, remember Inktober~+

 

And lastly, me, Moon Wolf - Director of this chaotic but fabulous MCU. Thank you to all the people who contributed (cue extra credits scene here), and hope you all have an outstanding October!

 

(curtains fall as actors bow and applause sounds)