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Author
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Topic: "The No Hug Zone"
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Vic George The ND Guy
Super Smurf
Member # 300
Member Rated:
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posted 05-10-2012 04:09 PM
This is my recent fanfic story in the EMPATH: The Luckiest Smurf story series, which is my response to the cartoon show episode "A Hug For Grouchy".
Part 1
It is the morning of Hug-A-Smurf Day in the Smurf Village, and Empath met Tapper at the entrance of his tavern. "Salutations, fellow Tapper," Empath greeted.
"Smurf o' the morning to you, my good Empath," Tapper responded, giving each other a hug. "And happy Hug-A-Smurf Day to you. I always enjoy smurfing a hug with you."
"This smurf enjoys them as well, Tapper," Empath said. "You're the one who helped this smurf not be afraid of hugs when this smurf was still fearful of being touched by any Smurf."
"I am not ashamed of ever helping you become the Smurf that you are, Empath," Tapper said, smiling. "Have you seen Grouchy lately?"
"If the other Smurfs are starting to engage in the holiday's activities after Papa Smurf's announcement, he should be coming any minute by this smurf's estimation," Empath said.
"Empath! Tapper! Quick! They're smurfing after me!" Grouchy shouted, running straight toward the tavern.
"Ah, smurf o' the morning to you, my fellow Grouchy," Tapper said. "You're just in time...my tavern is open for you. Smurf right in and make yourself comfortable."
"Thanks!" Grouchy said as he rushed past them and straight into the tavern.
Empath looked at Tapper with some amusement. "This smurf didn't think a Smurf like you would be purposely keeping a Smurf from being hugged on Hug-A-Smurf Day."
"You know me, Empath, that as much as I like the holiday, I do not like how my fellow Smurfs abuse the holiday, particularly when it smurfs to Grouchy," Tapper said. "That is why I have established my tavern as a No Hug Zone on this day, and that is why I have smurfed you to help me keep the other Smurfs out of the tavern."
"Even if it's Papa Smurf?" Empath wondered. "This smurf is not sure he would like not being able to go somewhere that is made off-limits to him."
"I'm sure that Papa Smurf would understand my reasons, Empath," Tapper said. "I have no reason to believe that he would smurf in a way that is totally against his own good nature."
"This smurf senses that he won't, Tapper," Empath said.
"Ah, greetings, my good laddies," Duncan said as he approached the tavern. "There's nothing like a good hug with my two closest fellow Smurfs to smurf off my Hug-A-Smurf Day."
"Smurf o' the morning to you, my fellow Duncan," Tapper said as he and Empath received their hugs from him. "You're not here to try smurfing a hug with Grouchy now, are you?"
"Aye, that Grouchy Smurf is just too finicky a Smurf when it comes to smurfing anything from any Smurf," Duncan said. "I'd rather he smurf me a hug if he's going to smurf that way, but I'm not going to smurf any offense from him if he doesn't."
"We're just trying to keep the other Smurfs from 'mugging a hug' with Grouchy, as some Smurfs are fond of saying, Duncan," Empath said. "It's going to be tricky, with some Smurfs looking for a way to catch Grouchy off-guard and ambush him with a hug. But we're certain that we'll succeed in keeping Grouchy safe from the hug-muggers."
"That's a way of smurfing it, Empath," Duncan said. "If anyone's going to try to ambush me, they're going to wish that they haven't tried smurfing it. Anyway, I'll leave you both to your guarding Grouchy while I go smurf some hugs from the other Smurfs, particularly that Hefty Smurf."
"Aye, I would think my fellow Hefty wouldn't know if you truly love him as a friend or just want to smurf him with the kind of hugs that you smurf with him, Duncan," Tapper said.
Duncan laughed. "I'll let the laddie think whatever he wants! It's not going to change how I feel for him a jot, even for all the times that he smurfs me by that name Gutsy!"
After Duncan departed, Empath said, "This smurf senses that there's a story about Grouchy that concerns this particular holiday, Tapper."
"Aye, Empath, that there is," Tapper said. "About a few years before you smurfed home for good, there was this fairy who smurfed a magic ice wand that would smurf the hearts of whoever it smurfed cold, so that they would not feel anything. I have seen my fellow Smurfs get smurfed with this ice wand before I myself fell victim to it. Papa Smurf read from one of his books that the power of the ice wand can only be broken if the holder of the wand was smurfed a hug from a confirmed grouch."
"And every Smurf knows that Grouchy is a confirmed grouch," Empath said.
"I would liken him more to an introvert, but make no mistake, that is what he is, Empath," Tapper said. "Grouchy didn't like that he had to smurf a hug to anybody, much less be smurfed a hug from anybody, but Papa Smurf said that if he didn't smurf a hug with the holder of the ice wand by sunset, the Smurfs who were smurfed by the wand would have frozen hearts forever. When it finally smurfed down to just him, Smurfette, and Baby Smurf, the fairy kept trying to smurf Baby with the ice wand, but its power didn't work on babies, so that gave Grouchy some time to try smurfing a hug with the fairy. It wasn't easy, but when Smurfette told him to do it for Papa Smurf, Grouchy bravely reached out and smurfed a hug with the fairy, and when that happened, the wand's power was broken over both the fairy and the Smurfs that were smurfed by it."
"And this made the Smurfs so grateful for Grouchy that they wanted to smurf a hug with him, whether he wanted one or not," Empath said.
"That poor Grouchy could never be smurfed alone, even for smurfing a heroic act, Empath," Tapper said. "I wisely chose to smurf myself away from Grouchy, because I know how he feels and I would never smurf him a hug unless he specifically asks for one."
"This smurf shares the same sentiment, Tapper," Empath said. "Still, for all the times that he knows what it's like for this smurf to be a Psyche, not being able to express any emotions, this smurf wishes that he would grow beyond himself and not be afraid to express himself with other Smurfs besides the both of us."
"All in good time, Empath, all in good time," Tapper said. "We must let the work of the Almighty smurf into his heart and help him to understand that he is truly loved despite who he is at heart. I will never stop praying for the moment when Grouchy will not be as...uh, grouchy as he normally is."
Empath nodded, understanding. "In the meantime, this smurf will never stop being a friend to Grouchy, and this smurf knows you'll never stop being one as well."
Then Smurfette appeared. "Hello there, Empath, and hello there, Tapper...happy Hug-A-Smurf Day," she greeted, giving the two Smurfs a hug.
"Smurf o' the morning to you, my dear Smurfette," Tapper responded. "I always enjoy the embraces that I smurf from you, even if they're only because we're friends and fellow Smurfs."
"I enjoy them even more with my big blue teddy bear," Smurfette said, giggling as she was obviously referring to Empath. "By the way, have either of you seen Grouchy? I wanted to smurf him a Hug-A-Smurf Day hug, but I can't find him."
"I'm afraid that he's unavailable, Smurfette," Tapper said.
"Oh, really?" Smurfette asked, looking at Tapper and Empath with some suspicion. "You're not trying to hide him from every other Smurf on this day, are you?"
"We're only trying to protect Grouchy, Smurfette," Empath said. "We know how much he hates this day, and we don't want to see him get hurt by any Smurf."
"I honestly don't see how a hug could hurt any Smurf, Empath," Smurfette said.
"You should know that Empath himself did not like being smurfed in a way that he didn't want to be smurfed, Smurfette," Tapper said. "There's nothing wrong with a Smurf saying no to how anyone is going to smurf them. Even you as a female Smurf must realize this need for yourself as you have a hundred Smurfs all wanting to smurf you as their one true love."
Smurfette seemed to understand. "Well, I didn't think I would ever have to equate my feelings as a female Smurf with those of Grouchy or Empath. If that's what Grouchy wants, then I'm going to respect that, even if it hurts me for doing so. I just don't want Grouchy to feel so alone on this day like he normally does."
"This smurf can assure you, Smurfette, that he will not be alone," Empath said.
Smurfette smiled. "I'll smurf the both of you later when I'm done smurfing hugs to all my fellow Smurfs," she said before she departed.
Tapper sighed. "If I were Grouchy, I wouldn't have passed up the opportunity of smurfing a hug from Smurfette. She's the Smurf that every Smurf would want to smurf a hug from any day of the week."
"She is very popular as the only adult female Smurf in the village, Tapper," Empath said. "And given how nature works, she's also very attractive. This smurf senses that Grouchy must feel the same way toward Smurfette like his fellow Smurfs."
"If he does, Empath, he's very secretive about it," Tapper said. "My good fellow Courier smurfs me of the times that he delivers messages and packages that are unsmurfed to Smurfette, and they are usually very nice gifts, which makes her wonder how smurfed them to her."
"And you think that all these gifts and messages come from Grouchy?" Empath asked.
"I can't think of another Smurf who would smurf so far out of his way to smurf his affections to Smurfette without letting her know it was him, Empath," Tapper said.
"This smurf hears that Amore is so interested in Smurfette that he would do anything to be her one true love, Tapper," Empath said.
"Aye, but that Amore certainly has his head in the smurfs when it comes to actually talking to her," Tapper said, giggling. "The most he will smurf around her is play his accordion and sing his serenades, which I have to admit smurf pretty good smurfing from him. The members of the Puffo clan have the best romantic singers in them."
"This smurf thinks that you sing better than Amore does, which makes this smurf wonder if you ever tried serenading to Smurfette," Empath said.
"I prefer to do most of my singing during my private hours of worship to the Almighty, Empath," Tapper said. "But being around Smurfette does at times smurf a song in my heart, which makes me a little sad that she will never hear anything of what I feel towards her besides our friendship."
"Well, if there's a chance for Grouchy to be happy with Smurfette, Tapper, this smurf would be willing to risk not spending the rest of this smurf's life with her to make sure she is happy as well with him," Empath said.
"That would indeed be a miracle, Empath...that would indeed," Tapper said.
Just then the Smurflings came around with Puppy. "Hi, Empath...ready to smurf me a big Hug-A-Smurf Day hug?" Sassette greeted.
"Hey, smurf some arm for me, Empath," Snappy insisted.
Empath picked up Sassette and Snappy together in his arms and squeezed them tight. "Oh, you two are getting so big!" Empath jested, laughing after he let them go.
"Holey hickory nuts, Empath, what are you and Tapper smurfing here?" Nat asked as he and Slouchy received their hugs from Empath and Tapper.
"We're just here to help out a friend who doesn't like hugs, my dear fellow Nat," Tapper answered.
"Grouchy never seems to like anything in this village, I bet," Slouchy said.
"There are some things that Grouchy likes, Slouchy," Empath said. "It's just that hugging isn't one of them. We just want to keep him safe from those who want to 'mug a hug' with him."
"Smurf me about it, Empath," Sassette said. "On Smurf Friendship Day, when Cupid's out with his love arrows, I can't get the boy Smurflings to stop following me. It's like I turned into Smurfette or something."
"You'll never be like Smurfette, Sassy," Snappy said. "It doesn't mean that we don't like you or anything like that."
"So Grouchy is going to smurf in the tavern all day?" Nat asked. "He must get pretty lonely when he just has himself to smurf with."
"Not to mention pretty boring," Slouchy added.
"I'm certain that your fellow Smurf is pretty capable of entertaining himself, my fellow Smurflings," Tapper answered.
"So are you four going to smurf something special today?" Empath asked.
"Well, we're going to smurf off into the woods to play with Tracker smurfing over us, Empath," Nat said. "It's certainly a nice enough day to smurf with each other."
"It's just too bad you can't smurf with us, Empath, because you're always much fun," Sassette said.
"Yeah, more fun than even being around Brainy," Snappy said.
"This smurf is certain that there will be other opportunities for that," Empath said. "The only thing this smurf wants you to do is enjoy yourselves."
"Before we go...can't we have just a moment in the tavern to...," Slouchy tried to ask.
"No!" Tapper answered sternly. "Now move along before I have Empath smurf you on your way!"
"Well, just thought I would ask," Slouchy said with a slight laugh. "We'll smurf you both later."
As the Smurflings made their goodbyes and ran off with Puppy, Empath turned to Tapper. "That was a rather harsh response to the Smurflings coming from you."
"I may be a gentle Smurf, Empath, but I am not an easy pushover like our friend who used to be called Pushover," Tapper said. "You remember how he used to be, and this was before the Firefly Festival we smurfed some years ago. The way he smurfs now, though, it makes me wonder if he shouldn't be called Stubborn Smurf."
"And you want to be just as stubborn as he is about letting any Smurf come into your tavern to hug Grouchy," Empath said.
"If Grouchy's going to enjoy this day without being hugged, Empath, we might as well be strong enough to smurf in the gap for him," Tapper said. "We must be ready to smurf for anyone who will dare try to smurf our No Hug Zone, no matter how they will attempt to do so. This will indeed be a test of our faith and Grouchy's trust in us."
Empath nodded. "Then this smurf will stand beside you to make sure that we will not fail him."
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VIC GEORGE -- Westfield, MA, USA
"Cat and mouse games really aren't much fun for us mouse types" -- Empath from "Empath The Bandit Smurf"
Posts: 4103 | From: Westfield, MA | Registered: Mar 2003
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Vic George The ND Guy
Super Smurf
Member # 300
Member Rated:
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posted 05-10-2012 04:10 PM
Part 2
A short while later, Empath was left guarding the tavern by himself while Tapper went in to check on Grouchy and see if there was anything that he wanted. At that point, Brainy and Hefty were just passing by.
"Well, I didn't think the star-faced showoff would be smurfing the role of the bouncer at Tapper's Tavern, especially when it's closed," Hefty said with some amusement.
"Say, Empath, what are you doing here on Hug-A-Smurf Day all by yourself?" Brainy asked.
"Yeah, and where's Grouchy?" Hefty asked. "I haven't smurfed him around the village."
"Grouchy is currently safe and unavailable right at this moment, my fellow Smurfs," Empath answered.
"You're not trying to keep Grouchy from being hugged on Hug-A-Smurf Day, are you?" Brainy asked.
"Knowing Empath, that's probably what he's smurfing," Hefty said.
"Tapper officially made his tavern a No Hug Zone today," Empath explained, "so unless you have some important business in it, this smurf would suggest that you two would move along peacefully."
"You mean the tavern is off-limits, right?" Hefty asked.
"That isn't fair, Empath," Brainy said. "This is Hug-A-Smurf Day, and Smurfs should be able to hug whoever they want to whenever they want to on this day. Papa Smurf isn't going to like this one bit."
"How long do you think you're going to keep other Smurfs out of the tavern just to protect Grouchy, Empath?" Hefty asked.
"It will take this smurf all day just to make sure that Grouchy is safe from the hug-muggers, Hefty," Empath answered.
"Oh, really, Empath?" Brainy said with some disbelief. "I bet Jokey is probably smurfing on some way to smurf past your security."
"Let's not smurf that prankster any ideas, Brainy," Hefty said.
"Jokey is welcome to try getting past this smurf, Brainy, though I highly doubt that he will succeed," Empath said.
"We might as well get going Brainy, if Empath isn't going to let us smurf Grouchy a hug," Hefty said.
"Patience, Hefty, a little patience," Brainy said. "After all, it is Hug-A-Smurf Day, and I haven't smurfed my hug with Empath." He then gave Empath a hug. "You don't know how much this means to me to smurf my own half-brother a hug."
"This smurf appreciates the sentiment, Brainy," Empath said. "How about you, Hefty?"
Hefty looked rather reluctant as he pondered the question. "Well...okay, but don't think this means that we're friends or anything."
"This smurf understands and respects that, Hefty," Empath said, giving Hefty a hug. "At least you can't say that this smurf hasn't hugged you today."
"Time to find other Smurfs that we haven't hugged yet," Hefty said after Empath let go. "Have fun smurfing the bodyguard, Empath."
Tapper came out after Hefty and Brainy had left. "So has there been anyone wanting to smurf Grouchy a hug while you were out here?" he asked.
"There were just Hefty and Brainy, that's all," Empath said. "This smurf had sent them peacefully along to find some other Smurf to hug. How's Grouchy doing in there by himself?"
"I can see he's been occupying himself smurfing the pinball game, Empath, and getting pretty good at it," Tapper said. "He just smurfed himself to a glass of smurfberry seltzer, which will keep him satisfied until lunch comes."
"You have Greedy delivering a lunch to your tavern for Grouchy, Tapper?" Empath asked.
"I asked him in advance to smurf this, and though he didn't like the idea of the No Hug Zone, he at least will respect it," Tapper answered. "He also knows that you and I will be smurfing an eye on Grouchy today, so this is where we will be eating lunch as well."
"You certainly thought the plan of this whole day through, Tapper," Empath said.
"I try to be just like you, Empath, and always be one smurf ahead of everything," Tapper said. "I may not have your mental abilities, but I like the idea of knowing that I can smurf everything under control and make sure that every detail is smurfed care of."
"Sometimes this smurf just likes not knowing what's going to happen in the next moment, Tapper," Empath said. "Having a sense of knowing what can happen tends to ruin a lot of surprises."
"Aye, but all the same, it will keep you alert and focused...something I'm sure you had need of when you were smurfing your turn as a novice guard in Psychelia," Tapper said.
"This smurf never liked having to stand guard all day and night anywhere, Tapper, but this smurf at least appreciates what this smurf has learned as a guard, and how important a job it is for the safety and protection of others," Empath said. "This smurf would hate the idea of having to need guards to protect a place like the Smurf Village."
"That's the price we need to pay for our freedom, Empath," Tapper said. "I wouldn't want to see Smurf Village be smurfed into a fortress to keep anyone out, but I do see where that may be necessary if that time smurfs. I can only pray to the Almighty for our overall safety during that dark time to smurf."
Just then Reporter appeared. "I have smurfed that this tavern has been smurfed off limits to the Smurfs on Hug-A-Smurf Day because you are trying to keep Grouchy from being hugged, is that correct?" he asked.
"That is correct, Reporter, and this smurf and Tapper will be standing guard to make sure our friend here is safe and protected from anyone who wants to hug him," Empath asked.
"But may I ask why you're smurfing this?" Reporter asked. "Is it because you're both in protest of the day and what it smurfs for?"
"I am not smurfing this because I want to smurf any kind of message, my fellow Reporter," Tapper said. "I am only smurfing this because I care about Grouchy and I don't want his feelings to be hurt."
"Hmmm, sounds interesting," Reporter said, writing the response in his notebook. "And what about you, Empath? Are you in protest of Hug-A-Smurf Day?"
"This smurf believes that we as Smurfs should be free to express ourselves however we want to and not be discriminated for our expressions, Reporter," Empath said. "If anyone doesn't want to be hugged, they should have the right to not be hugged unless it's consensual."
"Only consensual hugs on Hug-A-Smurf Day?" Reporter said. "That would make a good deal of Smurfs unhappy if they have to ask somebody to hug them."
"This smurf understands that there will be Smurfs who will not like having to ask to hug somebody, Reporter," Empath said. "But this smurf also understands what it's like to not want to be touched, and this smurf wishes that more Smurfs would understand that same feeling for themselves."
"It's your opinion, Empath, but it's worth smurfing mention about," Reporter said, writing it down on his notebook. "Anyway, since neither of you will let anyone else enter the tavern, I might as well smurf along and see if there's anything else newsworthy to smurf about."
"If this means anything to you, Reporter, just know that I still love you and so does Tapper," Empath said, giving Reporter a hug.
"You've always been a friend to me, and a constant source of news, Empath," Reporter said, smiling as he also received a hug from Tapper.
After Reporter left, Tapper asked Empath, "Do you think we're really smurfing other Smurfs away from Grouchy because we're in protest of Hug-A-Smurf Day?"
"Whatever your reasons are for doing this, Tapper, it's still bound to attract the idea that it is in essence a protest," Empath said. "Personally, having a day that allows other Smurfs to disrespect another Smurf's feelings when it comes to sharing their feelings is just as invasive as having the Psyche Master constantly probing this smurf's mind when this smurf was in Psychelia."
"And I for one am grateful that you have not smurfed after the manner of the Psyche Master when it comes to smurfing your abilities to read other Smurf's thoughts, Empath," Tapper said. "It's just that I feel hurt when Grouchy has to smurf through this day because he doesn't like hugs, and though my heart breaks because he won't ever want a hug from me, I want to still show how much I care for him just as the Almighty cares for him and for everyone."
"Does this Almighty of yours actually hug anyone, Tapper?" Empath asked.
"He is very gentle when it comes to smurfing with the lonely and the broken, Empath," Tapper said. "He is always reaching out to us, hoping that we will smurf His hand and let Him guide us in the way that He wants us to smurf. I know that for all the times I have cried, He records every tear and writes them in His book."
"This smurf knows Grouchy cries a lot, and this smurf senses that those are the times he wishes that somebody was with him to share how he feels," Empath said.
"And I for one would want to be that Smurf to smurf him the comfort he desires, Empath," Tapper said. "But alas, he never once asked me for a hug. And I can't smurf him one if he doesn't want anyone to hug him. I do pray that the Almighty will smurf into his heart and comfort him in those times of need."
"That makes this smurf feel lonely for Polaris, Tapper," Empath said. "It's almost been a year since this smurf had any contact with him in Psychelia. This smurf wishes there is a way that this smurf can contact him and let him know how this smurf is doing, but the Psyche Master is always monitoring the thought patterns of every Psyche and won't let any outside telepathic messages get through to anyone in Psychelia."
"I feel sorry for you and your friend there, Empath," Tapper said. "I can only pray for the Almighty's hand to smurf with this situation of you smurfing without your friend."
Around lunchtime, Greedy delivered a basket of mushroom pate sandwiches with cole slaw and potato chips for the three Smurfs at the tavern. They sat inside the tavern together eating the food, with Grouchy at least being grateful even if he didn't like what was on the menu. Empath sensed that Grouchy did get a really high score on the pinball machine, which made him feel glad and almost desiring to share the news with every Smurf if it weren't for the fact that Grouchy hated boasting.
Then came a knock on the door of the tavern. "Special package delivery for Tapper Smurf," the voice of Courier Smurf announced from the other side of the door.
"A package?" Tapper said, curious. "Who would be smurfing a package to me on Hug-A-Smurf Day?"
"This smurf will see what the package is, Tapper," Empath said, getting up from the table to go outside and answer the package call.
"There was no address as far as where the package smurfed from, Empath, but it was delivered with specific instructions for it to be smurfed to this tavern today," Courier explained as he showed the package.
"This package feels rather heavy, Courier," Empath said as he took the package from Courier.
"That's what I noticed about it, Empath, but if the sender wanted Tapper to smurf the package, then I'm certainly going to deliver it to him no matter what," Courier said.
"This smurf will make sure that Tapper receives the package, Courier," Empath said. "This smurf appreciates your delivery of it."
"Before I go, there is one thing you need to smurf me," Courier said.
Empath sensed what Courier wanted. "Oh, how forgetful of this smurf," he said, putting down the package to give Courier a hug. "Happy Hug-A-Smurf Day to you."
"Thank you, Empath...you really smurfened my day," Courier said, smiling before he left.
Empath picked up the package again and sensed something inside it that made him take notice. "Okay, Jokey, the game is up...come out of that package right now!"
"Aw, gee, Empath, you just ruined my joke," Jokey groaned as he burst out of the package. "I thought I would have Tapper fooled so I can smurf a hug with Grouchy."
"But you didn't think that this smurf would be at the tavern watching for anything that would come into the tavern on Hug-A-Smurf Day, did you?" Empath said.
"It's not fair, Empath," Jokey said. "No Smurf should ever be kept from another Smurf on Hug-A-Smurf Day. Even if I'm such a pain in the smurf, I just want to show Grouchy how much I care for him."
"You can start showing how much you care for Grouchy by going away from the tavern while he is still inside it, with this smurf and Tapper watching over him, Jokey," Empath said.
Jokey sighed, realizing that he wasn't going to win. "At least you can't say I didn't try. I'll have to smurf him some other time if he ever wants one."
"Don't feel too bad about it, Jokey," Empath said. "This smurf still appreciates your humor and knows that you don't always mean to hurt other Smurfs with your humor. How about a hug before you go?"
"Sure, Empath, for you, anytime," Jokey said as they embraced. "Of course, you should be hugging Smurfette a bit more today, if you know what I mean."
Empath gave Jokey a knowing look. "This smurf does know what you mean, Jokey. Enjoy the rest of your day."
After Jokey left, Empath went back inside. "So what was in the package that Courier had smurfed, Empath?" Tapper asked.
"It was just Jokey sending himself through the mail, hoping that he would sneak into the tavern and give Grouchy a hug," Empath said. "Fortunately this smurf sensed that he was in the package and got him out of there really quick."
"That Jokey thinks he's so clever, isn't he?" Tapper snorted, smiling at the thought of his prank being foiled. "That was one surprise package that I'm glad you have managed to desmurf before it exploded in here."
"I hate surprise packages," Grouchy said.
"Don't worry about it, Grouchy," Empath said. "Me and Tapper are still watching out for you. No Smurf is going to get past us to give you a hug when you don't want one."
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VIC GEORGE -- Westfield, MA, USA
"Cat and mouse games really aren't much fun for us mouse types" -- Empath from "Empath The Bandit Smurf"
Posts: 4103 | From: Westfield, MA | Registered: Mar 2003
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Vic George The ND Guy
Super Smurf
Member # 300
Member Rated:
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posted 05-10-2012 04:12 PM
Part 3
During the afternoon, while Tapper was standing guard outside his own tavern, Empath kept Grouchy company by playing a few games with him. Normally Grouchy didn't like playing any game with anyone, but he felt comfortable playing them with Empath, which made his friend sense that he was less irritable than he normally is.
"I sometimes wish I could be able to express myself like the other Smurfs so I can tell how I honestly feel towards them besides just 'I hate'," Grouchy said.
"This smurf senses that you like Smurfette and that you want to tell her so much that you love her, Grouchy," Empath said.
"Yeah, but I don't know what to say to her besides hello," Grouchy said.
"You can start by asking how she and her garden is doing," Empath said. "You have expressed an interest in flowers one time."
"I like how they look and how they smell, Empath," Grouchy said. "I just never studied up on flowers because I hate studying."
"Maybe you can learn from Smurfette about the various types of flowers that she grows, Grouchy," Empath said.
"I don't know, Empath," Grouchy said. "I feel like less of a Smurf if I have to have a Smurfette teach me anything."
"There's nothing wrong with a male Smurf learning anything from a female Smurf, Grouchy," Empath said. "It just helps us to understand female Smurfs better, even if some of those things we will never personally experience for ourselves just because we're male Smurfs."
"Well, between you and me, I think Smurfette is really smurfy for being a female Smurf," Grouchy said.
"She does have that attractive quality to her, Grouchy," Empath said. "It's just a shame that there's only of her in the village for every adult Smurf our age to be attracted to."
"You think there could be other female Smurfs besides her somewhere beyond the Smurf Village?" Grouchy asked.
"It's only a possibility, Grouchy, nothing more than that," Empath said. "Besides, what would the other Smurfs do if she decides to marry one of us? It would make them feel pretty jealous as it would this smurf."
"How could you feel jealous, Empath?" Grouchy said. "I'm already jealous of you smurfing with Smurfette. She's never smurfed around with any Smurf besides you for about a year."
"This smurf didn't intend for it to be that way, Grouchy," Empath said. "It's just that Smurfette is simply attracted to this smurf in a way that she feels is much different from how she's attracted to you and the other Smurfs."
"I know Hefty's been trying to smurf her heart ever since the two of them met, Empath," Grouchy said.
"This smurf senses that Hefty does try his hardest to attract Smurfette's attention towards him, Grouchy," Empath said. "This smurf doesn't fault him for his goals or his enthusiasm, though some of the ways he goes about trying to get her attention does raise some questions."
"I just don't know what Smurfette even sees in that lug," Grouchy said. "If he marries her, she'll most likely be smurfing her days cleaning up his gym."
"This smurf isn't sure if that would be the case in that scenario, Grouchy," Empath said. "But this smurf wants to make sure that Smurfette is happy with her decision, and this smurf would want to see Hefty be happy as well."
"You want Hefty to be happy?" Grouchy said with some disbelief. "He doesn't even like you enough to want you to be his friend."
"This smurf knows how he feels towards me, Grouchy, but this smurf isn't going to reciprocate his bad feelings toward this smurf with any animosity," Empath said. "This smurf is going to be his friend regardless of his feelings, and even if he never appreciates what this smurf is doing for him, at least being his friend will be its own reward."
"If Hefty has a friend like you and Duncan, why would he ever need an enemy?" Grouchy said.
Meanwhile, Tapper was outside dealing with a crowd of Smurfs who were all looking for Grouchy because they wanted to hug him.
"This is an outrage, Tapper," Poet said. "You can't keep Smurfs away from others just because they don't like to be hugged."
"Oui, oui, mon frere," Painter said. "You are creating an obstruction to the demonstration of our deepest affections."
"I am only trying to protect my friend, my fellow Smurfs," Tapper stated. "Doesn't Grouchy have a right to how he wants to be smurfed by anyone?"
"This is Hug-A-Smurf Day, Tapper," one Smurf shouted. "Smurfs should be allowed to hug anyone they want to."
"Yeah, this is a gross injustice that you're smurfing on us," another Smurf said.
"Let us smurf Grouchy a hug!" they all shouted.
They continued shouting this same message until Papa Smurf came along. "Why are you all gathered around Tapper's Tavern, my little Smurfs?" he asked.
"He won't let any of us enter the tavern to give Grouchy a hug, Papa Smurf," one Smurf said.
"He and Empath have been smurfing Grouchy away from us all day," another Smurf said.
And they all continued to voice their own objects until Papa Smurf silenced them.
"This whole thing of wanting to smurf Grouchy a hug is getting out of hand," he said. "I want you all to leave this area at once. I will personally deal with this matter myself."
"Yes, Papa Smurf," the Smurfs said in unison before they departed.
After they had left, Papa Smurf said, "Tapper, this is a very unsmurfy thing for you and Empath to do on Hug-A-Smurf Day, to cause a riot by keeping Grouchy from being part of the day's celebration."
"I have never intended for this to become a riot, Papa Smurf," Tapper said. "But as my personal expression for how much I care for Grouchy, I want him to be able to enjoy the day without fear of being ambushed with a hug by his fellow Smurfs."
"I do know that my little Smurfs can get carried away when it smurfs to Hug-A-Smurf Day, Tapper," Papa Smurf said. "But do you know how your fellow Smurfs would feel if they're not able to express themselves freely to any Smurf?"
"But why can't Grouchy be able to express himself however he feels without being forced to do so?" Tapper asked. "I just feel it in my spirit that this holiday enables Smurfs to disrespect other Smurfs' feelings when it comes to being touched by any Smurf."
"You make the whole idea of the holiday seem less than noble, which I can't imagine it was ever meant to be," Papa Smurf said.
"I'm sure that the Smurfs who smurfed of this day had good intentions, Papa Smurf, but as they say, the road to hell is smurfed with good intentions," Tapper said. "All I want for Grouchy is to not feel like he would be violated by his fellow Smurfs."
Suddenly Empath came out of the tavern. "This smurf has an emergency in the forest to take care of, Tapper."
"You go deal with the situation in the forest while I and Tapper watch over the tavern for you, Empath," Papa Smurf said.
"This smurf acknowledges, Papa Smurf," Empath said before he raced off into the forest.
A crowd of Smurfs were gathered around a hole where they heard Puppy barking from, sounding like he was in trouble. None of the Smurfs were able to do anything but stare down into the hole.
Then Empath arrived at the scene. "What's happened to Puppy?" he asked.
"Oh, Empath, Puppy just smurfed down a hole in the ground and we can't smurf him back up," Sassette whined.
"We were hoping you would smurf up so that you could help us smurf Puppy back up," Slouchy said calmly.
Empath scanned the hole that Puppy fell into. "The shaft seems pretty deep, my fellow Smurflings. It's going to take some effort to lift Puppy out of there."
"You mean, you can't smurf this thing by yourself?" Snappy asked.
"I'm not sure if I'd want to smurf the job by myself if Puppy is smurfed so far down the shaft," Nat said.
"That means we need to smurf the mindlink together, doesn't it, Empath?" Sassette asked.
"That would be the best chance for rescuing Puppy now, Sassette," Empath said. "This smurf would only need you four to join hands with this smurf and concentrate your thoughts together so we can safely bring Puppy out."
"That's it?" Snappy asked. "Well, let's smurf this thing together already!"
"I'm definitely in, Empath," Slouchy said.
"Me too," Nat said.
"And me four," Sassette said.
Empath and the four Smurflings joined hands and closed their eyes as the Smurflings focused their thoughts together, causing Empath's mental energy to grow stronger. With that energy he reached down into the shaft and started to slowly and carefully lift up Puppy, trying to be as gentle as possible.
Then suddenly, Empath said, "Uh-oh...this smurf is losing him!"
"Quick!" one of the Smurfs said. "Let's join hands with the Smurflings and help Empath."
The other Smurfs also joined hands together and focused their thoughts together with the Smurfs, increasing Empath's power even more. "There...this smurf has Puppy again," Empath said.
After a few more minutes, Puppy was now safe above ground. The Smurfs cheered and the Smurflings gathered around Puppy, who greeted them with a friendly lick, feeling happy to be safe again.
"Thanks for helping us save Puppy, Empath," Sassette said, smiling. "We wouldn't know what to do without you."
"This smurf is honored to help, Sassette," Empath said. "At least Puppy seems to be all right considering what has happened to him."
"We'll just have to be careful when it comes to smurfing him in the forest," Nat said.
"Yeah, who knew there would be a hole this deep for Puppy to smurf down in?" Snappy said.
Then Empath saw something in his mind that was happening in Tapper's Tavern. "It's Grouchy," he shouted. "Some Smurf has managed to get into the tavern."
"What?" Snappy asked. "I thought you and Tapper were watching it to make sure nobody smurfed in there."
"Some Smurf must have found a way inside, Snappy," Empath said. "This smurf must return to the village and check up on Grouchy."
"We'll take care of Puppy from here, Empath," Slouchy said, as the four of them watched Empath rush back to the village.
By the time Empath returned to the tavern, he saw that Tapper and Papa Smurf were inside it with Grouchy and another Smurf who was knocked unconscious.
"Aye, it's that Sneaky Smurf," Tapper said. "He must have smurfed in through the chimney while me and Papa Smurf weren't looking. I heard the scuffle smurfing on and a mug being smurfed on his head before I knew what had happened."
"He was trying to hug me!" Grouchy said. "I keep saying 'I hate hugs', but nobody ever listens to me!"
"There, there, my fellow Grouchy, you're safe now," Tapper said consolingly. "You smurfed the right thing in keeping him away from you."
"Is he all right, Empath?" Papa Smurf asked.
Empath scanned Sneaky with his minds-eye. "The broken glass did nothing more than knock him unconscious, Papa Smurf. He should awaken pretty soon."
"I'm sorry this had to happen to you, Grouchy," Papa Smurf said. "I see now the need for a new rule that must be enforced on Hug-A-Smurf Day to keep incidents like this from repeating themselves."
"This whole thing was all my fault, Papa Smurf," Grouchy said.
"No, Grouchy, you have the right to not want to be touched when and where you don't want to be touched," Empath said. "It's time other Smurfs learn to respect that."
And soon, with Harmony summoning every Smurf around the speaking mushroom, Papa Smurf made his announcement.
"My little Smurfs, inasmuch as I know that you enjoy participating in Hug-A-Smurf Day, it comes with a heavy heart to smurf you a new rule that must be smurfed in place," Papa Smurf said. "From now on, we are to respect other people's feelings when it smurfs to hugs and any personal displays of affection. That means if we want to smurf other Smurfs a hug, we must ask their permission first before we do so. Anyone who ever assaults another Smurf with a hug will have to answer to me. Is that understood?"
"Yes, Papa Smurf," all the Smurfs said in unison.
"We're sorry, Grouchy, about trying to force our hugs on you," Hefty said. And all the other Smurfs voiced similar apologies.
By the end of the day, Empath and Tapper met with Grouchy outside the tavern. "So how does it feel to be a free Smurf now that nobody can hug you unless they ask you for one?" Empath asked Grouchy.
"I feel a whole lot better, Empath," Grouchy said. "Thanks for you and Tapper watching out for me."
"I'm just sorry I couldn't stop Sneaky from smurfing his way into the tavern, Grouchy," Tapper said.
"Not as sorry as he's going to feel when he wakes up, Tapper," Grouchy said. "Anyway, I'm happy that Papa Smurf finally listened to my situation when it comes to how I feel about hugs."
"You deserve to be treated with respect just like every Smurf in the village, Grouchy," Empath said. "While this smurf wishes it didn't have to happen this way, this smurf is pleased that there will be a change in how Smurfs will interact with each other."
Just then Smurfette appeared. "Oh, Grouchy, are you all right?" she asked with some concern in her voice.
"I'm...fine, Smurfette," Grouchy managed to say. "Can I, uh....smurf a hug from you?"
"Why, Grouchy, I would be more than pleased to," Smurfette said, smiling. She gave Grouchy a very big warm hug. "Hopefully that will make you feel better."
"With that smile on his face, Smurfette, this smurf would say you made him feel a lot better," Empath said.
"Say, Empath...Tapper...could you, uh...," Grouchy started to say.
Empath knew what Grouchy wanted to ask. "Well, what do you think, Tapper?"
"Great Smurfiny Crickets, I didn't think he would ever ask that of me!" Tapper said.
Smurfette giggled. "I'll leave you two boys alone and smurf you tomorrow!"
After Smurfette left, both Empath and Tapper gave Grouchy a hug. "We love you so much, Grouchy. You'll always have a friend with us!" they both said.
"I love you two," Grouchy said, smiling.
THE END
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VIC GEORGE -- Westfield, MA, USA
"Cat and mouse games really aren't much fun for us mouse types" -- Empath from "Empath The Bandit Smurf"
Posts: 4103 | From: Westfield, MA | Registered: Mar 2003
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Smurfy1For2
Blue Believer
Member # 1224
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posted 05-10-2012 08:32 PM
Awesome Vic!
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u wished u rocked as i
Posts: 1969 | From: Fairfield, VA | Registered: Nov 2005
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Carnation
dogboo22 / Brunette / Greedette / President Smurfette / Summer Smurfette
Member # 4086
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posted 05-11-2012 06:24 AM
yeah its awesome
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With a good attitude no one can bring you down - Carnation
Posts: 969 | From: Far Far Away | Registered: Nov 2011
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Amy Sue Smurfette
Nurturer Smurf / The Odd Smurf
Member # 4050
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posted 05-11-2012 12:08 PM
that was magnificent! and you know i love the timing that you posted this on here too i just had a similar situation where i had to stand up for respecting others' ways of life and beliefs etc rather than forcing your own down their throats and it hasn't been easy for me since i've lost a few people hopefully only temporarily but things keep on coming up like this that assure me that i did the right thing so i am very glad and grateful to have seen this thanks for sharing it here :-D
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we're all someone's little fangirl.
Posts: 903 | From: fah fah aweeey... | Registered: Oct 2011
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Vic George The ND Guy
Super Smurf
Member # 300
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posted 05-11-2012 02:28 PM
Originally it was supposed to be a one-page mini-story for the Smurfs Fanon Wiki, and then I decided to add a twist to the story where Empath's and Tapper's efforts fail at some point, resulting in the unfortunate scene of Grouchy bonking a would-be assailant in the head with a glass, and Papa Smurf's subsequent rule of all hugs on Hug-A-Smurf Day must be consensual. It's mostly intended to be my whole commentary on "A Hug For Grouchy", which, although intended to be funny, just sends the wrong message to people about assaulting people with "affection" and that people have a right not to be touched when and where they don't want to be touched.
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VIC GEORGE -- Westfield, MA, USA
"Cat and mouse games really aren't much fun for us mouse types" -- Empath from "Empath The Bandit Smurf"
Posts: 4103 | From: Westfield, MA | Registered: Mar 2003
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Amy Sue Smurfette
Nurturer Smurf / The Odd Smurf
Member # 4050
Member Rated:
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posted 05-11-2012 05:33 PM
well i love it and agree with you 100% i did think that episode was cute but that did bug me that no one could seem to accept that Grouchy just isn't a hugger
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we're all someone's little fangirl.
Posts: 903 | From: fah fah aweeey... | Registered: Oct 2011
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