Chapter 15: Stressful Cruise
Both the S.S. Smurf and the S.S. Sister Smurf have been traveling many miles across the deep ocean for the past two and half days. Thankfully, the trip was nearly over. Soon they will reach the shores of the Smurf Village. It had been a lucky trip. The two ships were able to travel with nice calm weather. However, that didn't stop some of the passengers from feeling a tad sea sick and the rest with cabin fever.
On the S.S. Smurf, Captain Dreamy Smurf surveyed the lower deck with his eyes. He watched as the rest of his fellow smurfs did what they could to help make the homesick smurfettes feel more comfortable. Dreamy saw as Poet Smurf recited one of his poems wrote to Ballette in hopes that would cheer her up. After he finished, the blond ballerina turned to smile at the creative smurf. This showed that she indeed appreciated his efforts.
At the other end of the ship Dreamy noticed Greedy Smurf handing out cupcakes to the hungry passengers. There were a few, including Brainy that refused any food, due to the fact their stomachs were not faring too well on this trip. Dreamy reminds himself that this trip was almost over and that should bring relief to those who were suffering with nausea.
In the Crow's Nest, Dreamy spotted Vanity glancing in his mirror briefly before returning his gaze out in the open sea. Over to Captain Dreamy's right, stood Papa Smurf, whom has offered to take the captain's wheel briefly. It wasn't surprising that Papa Smurf looked worried about the same thing he was. The thought of leaving the rest of the smurfs behind must be tearing him up inside. Dreamy let out a little sigh before returning his gaze over the lower deck.
Captain Dreamy prayed silently that the smurfettes' home village will be alright. He also prayed that both ships will be able to survive not only this trip, but the trip it will have to make back to the Smurfette Village. How he was looking forward to when this would be all over. Captain Dreamy was not sure if he had even slept the past few days. Many times he had to shake his head in order to stay focused, or he might have veered the ships off course. Papa Smurf had suggested that he'd take a nap, but Captain Dreamy refused, stating that guiding these ships back to the Smurf Village was a number one priority.
Dreamy let out a big yawn before he looked over his left shoulder. Near the back of the ship on the captain's deck sat Astrologette. She pulled out her Tarot cards and began laying them down to read the future. At first he made a skeptical look over the fact she relied on those cards often in deciding the fates. But then he remembered her prediction for the rescue team when the Trolls invaded the Smurfette Village. This brought more curiosity towards this smurfette and her tarot cards. Dreamy Smurf decided to walk up to her. He stopped to lean over the railing and faced the ocean.
"So, what do your cards say now?" He asked her in a curious way.
"Huh?" Astrologette looked up at Captain Dreamy. "Oh, they are still saying 'doom'. For the Smurfette Village, that is." She told him in a tone of regret.
Dreamy frowned. He hoped that she would be wrong, but something in him said that it could very well be possible. It was then that he thought about the other smurfs and smurfettes left behind. He faced her with a worried expression.
"Wh-what about the others?" He asked. "Do your cards say anything about them?"
Without saying a word, Astrologette picked up the cards and placed them back into the deck. After giving them a quick shuffle she pulled out two cards and studied them carefully.
"They are fine." She announced calmly. Astrologette pulled up another card and placed it beside the second one. "They are safe from the danger, and are waiting patiently for us to pick them up."
"That, at least, is good to hear." Dreamy commented, with a hint of a sigh of relief.
Both Captain Dreamy and Astrologette share a knowing smile before Dreamy turned to face the ship that is attached to the S.S. Smurf. He wondered how the others are doing on the S.S. Sister Smurf right about now.
OoOoOoOoOoOo
MEANWHILE ON THE S.S. SISTER SMURF
The smurfs and smurfettes aboard mainly stayed quiet due to the long tired trip over the ocean. Behind the captain's wheel, Valvette and Brainette both leaned against the railing. Valvette lifted her head up from eyeing her reflection in her compact mirror. Something suddenly dawned on her.
"Gee, this is seems all so familiar. Like we've done this before. There should be a word for this kind of feeling." She pondered out loud.
Brainette lifts her head from the railing of the ship. She gingerly turned to look over at the beautiful brunette smurfette, and raises her eyebrow. Brainette shook her head slowly in disbelief before saying, "Deja vu" to her.
Valvette turned to her smart sister in shock. Her mouth hung open as if the words she wanted to say could not come out. "Excuse me?" She finally utters out.
"The word you seek is called Deja vu. It's a French word that means a particular phenomenon of having the strong sensation that an event or experience currently being experienced has been experienced in the past, but in reality, it hasn't." Brainette said, trying to ignore the nauseous feeling in her stomach.
"Brainette I am shocked. There is no need to swear. I mean, I was just asking." Valvette huffed.
"But that is the word. Deja…"
"Brainette!" Valvette raised her hand up in disgust. "That's enough potty-smurf talk from you. I'm going to tell Mama Smurf as soon as we get to go back home."
"Oh, I give up." Frustrated and feeling very nauseous, Brainette rests her head over the railing of the ship before she might get sick all over her sister. Then again, the thought did amuse her somewhat.
Smurfette, whom over heard the conversation between Valvette and Brainette, tried very hard to stifle her giggles. She returned her focus on steering the S.S. Sister Smurf. Even though the ship was attached to the S.S. Smurf and the trip was smooth sailing, still the currant of the ocean could cause problems if Smurfette did not do her part in keeping the S.S. Sister Smurf aligned with lead ship.
The young blond smurfette looks over the captain's deck to see the passengers on the lower deck. She watches as each passenger dealt with personal space, which is something everyone is lacking right now. Gingerette tried to comfort everyone by handing out freshly baked muffins. Some rejected her offer, due to feeling a little motion sickness. Smurfette started to feel sorry for them.
She also felt bad that the Smurfette Village was in peril. No matter what though, Smurfette knew that the other smurfs would make sure that these smurfettes know the Smurf Village can always be their second home.
This made her feel that for once in her life she was not alone. Sure living with the smurfs has been a real blessing, but none of the smurfs could communicate the same way as she could with any of the other smurfettes aboard this ship. Smurfette looked down at the new pink dress Valvette gave her back in the Smurfette Village and couldn't help but to smile. It had been the best gift anyone has ever given her. She frowned, however, as she wonders what the future would hold for these smurfettes.
On the lower deck Gingerette had just handed Melody and Harmony Smurf each a muffin before walking to the next group of smurfettes. Melody looked down at her muffin with a sadden expression. She didn't know why she decided to take one; she wasn't even that hungry. Melody, unaware of her actions, lets out a loud sigh. Her mind was obviously somewhere else.
Harmony was about to take a bit of his muffin when Melody's loud sigh caught his attention. "What's wrong?" He asked with concern in his voice.
"What?" The amber-haired smurfette broke out of her concentration as she turned to see that Harmony is beside her. "Oh, nothing." She quickly gave him an answer, not really wishing to take this conversation any further.
With a pout, Harmony looked down at the muffin he held in one hand and his trumpet in the other. He smiled as he raised the hand holding the trumpet.
"I could play you a song to help cheer you up." He offered politely.
"NO!" Melody suddenly cried out. This caused Harmony to jump back slightly.
"I'm sorry, Harmony. It's just that I am not in much of a mood to hear or play music right now." She apologized to the musician.
"I understand." Harmony sighed in defeat. "You're worried about your home, and probably the other smurfs and smurfettes as well, aren't you?"
"Yeah. Something like that." She slowly nodded. How could she explain her feelings to a smurf she barely knew? A part of her wished she had stayed behind. Perhaps the others could have used her help. Melody went on to thinking on what they could be doing right about now. She started daydreaming of the moment when Hefty held her before she boarded the ship back on the dock.
'Right about now, I could be back in those strong arms.' She thought to herself.
Shaking her head, Melody quickly reminded herself that it was never meant for her and Hefty to be together. It was obvious from pretty much the very beginning that Toughette would be the lucky smurfette to have him. Melody turned to see Harmony quietly eating his muffin.
'Well, he is cute when he's not trying to play his trumpet.' She thought with a smile.
To Harmony's surprise, Melody starts leaning up against his shoulder. They both smiled at each other before taking a bit of their muffin.
"OH! Harmony! Smurfette!" A female voice cried out from way up in the Crow's Nest.
"What is it Gosipette?" Smurfette called back.
"What is that word that you call out when you see what appears to be land in the far off distance? Because I think I see land, but I could be wrong, but just in case I'm right I would like to shout it out for everyone to know..."
"The word is 'SMURF HO', Gosipette!" Harmony shouted up at her.
"Oh Yes! SMURF HO, everysmurf!" Gosipette cheered.
"Thank smurfness." Brainette muttered as she looked up to confirm that land is indeed approaching.
OoOoOoOoOoOo
TWO HOURS LATER…
The two ships finally docked, and some members of the Smurf Village, even though were very confused on why both ships have returned, came down to assist the departing passengers. Finally Papa Smurf reached the ramp to depart the S.S. Smurf, but before he could even step down his little smurfs started bombarding him with questions.
"Now, now my little smurfs calm down." He raised both his hands up in a reassuring manner. "The smurfettes' Village is in great danger. Both Mama Smurf and I agreed that they would be much safer if they'd come back here to stay with us till we are sure it is ok for them to go back. I would appreciate if you all would show the smurfettes the best hospitality you can give them during their stay. Alright?"
"Yes Papa Smurf!" Most of the smurfs cried out in unison before helping the smurfettes off the boats and back to the Smurf Village.
"Papa Smurf! Where are Hefty, Handy, and Farmer?" Painter Smurf called out with a baffled look on his face.
"They stayed behind to assist Mama Smurf and some of the other smurfettes in a rescue mission." Papa Smurf answered with a hint of worry in his tone. "Help the others get the smurfettes settled then gather more supplies for the S.S. Smurf. Captain Dreamy and I with select a few smurfs to go back and pick them up."
"Yes Papa Smurf." The young smurf nodded before he ran off to carry out his orders.
Smurfette and Valvette walked off the dock and headed through the Smurf Village. A smurf with a candle placed on top his cap, and the rest of his attire is covered in dirt rushed up to them.
"I just heard the news. You can rest a sure that I'll be here to assist in any way I can." He told them.
Valvette reacted by taking a step back - away from the generous smurf, while making a face of disgust.
"Is anything the matter? You do remember me, don't you? I'm Minor Smurf." The dusty smurf said.
"Eeew, yes. I do. You're the other smurf with a funny smell." Valvette said, pinching her nose from his presents.
"Other smurf?" Minor gave the long brunette haired smurfette a puzzled expression.
"Yeah. There's you, and that other one over there that is, yuck, rummaging through his trash." Valvette cringed.
"That'll be Sloppy Smurf you'd be talking about, but I still don't understand why I would be having a funny smell, unless," Minor took a quick whiff of himself to see if he sensed what Valvette could be smelling. "Ah, it'd be sulfur you smell on me. The mines are covered with it."
"And what smurf-tell would you be smurfing around in these mines?" Valvette threw her arms in the air.
"Oh, I'd be digging in hopes to discover great things that would be useful for the village." Minor Smurf stated proudly.
"Yeah, well. Let me know when you discover bathing. Ok?" She muttered back while waving her hand in front of her face. Not wanting to be near this smurf anymore, she walked away.
"Valvette, that wasn't very smurfy of you to talk to Minor like that. He was only trying to be helpful." Smurfette whined, catching up to the brunette in the purple dress.
"Smurfette, you are the most sweetest smurf in this entire village, but you must understand one thing." Valvette stopped to face the blond smurfette.
"What's that?"
"I just may have lost my home for good, and all my things that I have left there. I am in no mood to be smurfy with anyone right now."
"I-I suppose that makes sense." Smurfette said softly, not knowing what else to say.
"Smurfette. I am in a desire need to freshen up. Where can a smurfette go to do that?" Valvette said, instantly wanting to change the subject.
"Oh, this way." Smurfette takes Valvette's hand and guided her to her home.
A small group of smurfettes walked up to Brainette on the smurf dock. Each of them seemed a shade of paler blue on their faces.
"Brainette, you wouldn't by chance have some of Mama Smurfs special herbs to help cure nausea, would you?" One of the blond smurfettes asked.
"Yes I do. They are in this bag right here." Brainette answered as she tapped lightly on the carry bag tied to her belt. "I shall make us all a cup immediately."
"You wouldn't by chance have enough herbs for one more cup?" Brainy asked in a timid way.
Brainette rolled her eyes and let out a loud sigh before turning to face Brainy. "Yes, I have plenty. Apparently Mama Smurf had predicted this trip would be rough on a lot of the smurfettes and not just us." She explained to him.
Brainy couldn't help but to hear the cold tone in her voice. If he wasn't so desperate for some of that herb tea he'd forget even talking to this smart smurfette. He followed her and the other nauseated smurfettes off the dock.
OoOoOoOoOoOo
Floraette and Craftette stood in puzzlement as they tried to figure out a way to stop Babette from crying. The one thing they could think of is that Babette might need her diaper changed. Both smurfettes frowned once they realized that they only brought enough diapers that lasted the boat ride across the ocean. In the meantime, Floraette covered Babette with one of the blankets and held her up against her chest in hopes to relax the youngest smurfette. This seemed to work. But both Floraette and Craftette knew that this was only a temporary solution. In no time, they spot a smurf walking past them, Floraette and Craftette rushed up to him.
"Excuse me, uh, Smurf." Craftette called out as they started catching up to him.
"What?" The Smurf snapped as he turned with his arms crossed, and a scowl look on his face.
"Oh, we're sorry. We didn't know what your name was." Floraette said, assuming that he might have been insulted for being addressed as just 'smurf'. She started holding Babette closer to her chest.
"It's Grouchy Smurf. What do you want?" He huffed.
Craftette and Floraette both frowned at each other, as if to say they are not impressed with Grouchy's attitude towards them.
"Well, we were kind of hoping you will help us find anything we could use for diapers." Craftette explained.
"Diapers?" Grouchy's face suddenly softened as he began noticing the little baby smurfette in Floraette's arms.
"Yeah. We were all in such a rush to evacuate our village that we didn't have time to grab more diapers for Babette here." Floraette said in a guilty tone.
"Oh. This way." Grouchy said, as he started guiding the smurfettes towards Papa Smurf's house. He opened the door and led them to the corner of the room where a crib sat. "There are extra diapers on that table over there." Grouchy pointed just past the crib.
Craftette walked up towards the crib, while Floraette took Babette to the table.
"Awe, Hefty did say you had a baby in your village, but he didn't say how cute he is." Craftette cooed.
Grouchy didn't respond. He just crossed his arms and hoped the smurfettes would hurry it along. There were a lot of things that needed to get done around the village, plus he had been selected to go on the return trip to pick up the other smurfs and smurfettes left behind. How he hated going on return trips.
"There all clean." Floraette proudly held up the now happier Babette. Floraette looked over to Baby Smurf in the crib and had a thought. "You don't suppose we could leave Babette here with Baby Smurf while Craftette and I go help the others unpack?" The raven-haired smurfette asked Grouchy.
"Sure." He shrugged.
"Great." Floraette cheered. She placed Babette beside Baby Smurf and handed her, her favorite teddy bear wearing a pink smurf hat. "There you go. Now you two play nice." She told the little ones before following the others out of the house.
Babette and Baby Smurf watch the adults as they close the door on their way out. As soon as they are alone, the two youngest smurfs turn to each other and began talking to each other in baby babble.
Baby Smurf put down his favorite baby rattle to picked up his own teddy bear. It is a darker shade of brown with a white smurf hat on it. He held it up to show Babette. She does the same with her light beige teddy. Baby Smurf placed his teddy down in front of him. He then raised his hands above it and wriggles his fingers. Magically, the brown teddy bear got up to start dancing.
Babette set her teddy down, and giggles as she clapped her hands together. She too held up her hands and wriggles her fingers. Like the brown teddy, her light beige teddy got up to dance on its' own too.
Their focus is interrupted when the front door opened suddenly. The teddy bears dropped in a motionless pile in between the babies. Babette and Baby Smurf turn to look up at the smurfs that have just entered the room.
"We just have to get a few extra blankets and cups for the smurfettes. Apparently, during the evacuation they didn't have time to bring enough." Papa Smurf explained to Captain Dreamy, whom followed close behind. "Over there in my cupboard, I should have at least seven spare blankets. Could you go get them for me, while I get the extra cups?"
"Yes Papa Smurf." Captain Dreamy saluted. He walked over to the cupboard, opened it, and pulls out five wooly blankets. Still very tired from the trip, he let out a big yawn as he closed the door. Dreamy turned to walk back towards Papa Smurf when he noticed the baby crib. He realized that both babies are in the crib. "Oh, looks like Babette has been introduced to Baby already." He said with a grin.
Papa Smurf walked over with four cups in his hands. He leaned forward over the crib to see the little smurf babies glancing up at him with innocent eyes.
"Amazing." He said. Being a wizard, he can sense that magic has been used in the room, especially somewhere from within this crib. His suspicions grew when he knew that the only ones in this room, besides him and Dreamy, are the babies. Papa Smurf raised his eyebrow in suspicion as the two babies each giggle and bat their eyes up at the adult smurfs.
"Awe, they are just so cute at this stage, aren't they Papa Smurf?" Captain Dreamy cooed.
"Yes. A little too cute." The red capped elder muttered.
"Pardon?"
"Nothing my little smurf. Let's go help the smurfettes get settled, before we return our attention in setting up the ship to sail in the morning." Papa Smurf said in a more clear tone.
"Aye, Aye Papa Smurf." Captain Dreamy again saluted before following his elder out of the house and closed the door behind him.
Babette and Baby Smurf once again clap and giggle with delight as they return to their game of making their teddy bears dance.