Sunshine and Sand

35. Masseuse.

[sanfordmann]

You're on your own In a world you've grown Few more years to go, Don't let the hurdle fall So be the girl you loved, Be the girl you loved I'll wait So show me why you're strong Ignore everybody else, We're alone now I'll wait So show me why you're strong Ignore everybody else, We're alone now Suddenly, I'm hit Is this darkness of the dawn? And your friends are gone And your friends won't come So show me where you fit So show me where you fit I'll wait So show me why you're strong Ignore everybody else, We're alone now

[pennyroyalorange]

[sanfordmann]

Sanford, Signing, and Silly Expressions

[clapforfairies]

The Lonely || Prilla and Sanford

[clapforfairies]

Prilla’s breath caught. I… am glad. She met his eyes, and while hers were still damp from crying, they were filled with warmth. Warmth that he’d brought with him and shared with her. I don’t want you to feel lonely anymore. 

When you need to talk… "I’ll listen," she whispered. I’m not much, but I won’t ever… B-E-T-R-A-Y your trust. She fingerspelled the one word that she couldn’t call to mind, a little nervous to be so honest, and so… raw, out loud. Something about her promise made her feel vulnerable, even though she was the one that was promising integrity. 

Wanting to say more, but not knowing what or how, Prilla’s hands stilled. But her smile remained, stronger now. To think that such a short time ago, she couldn’t force a smile if she tried.

[sanfordmann]

It was hard for Sanford to express himself in any way than with his hands, so he did what came naturally to him. He reached out to a stray tear and brushed it away with his thumb, hoping that he was not cashing in on their intimate conversation with physicality too soon. Sanford was just so incredibly touched by her words, spoken to him in his own language – and still, he almost longed to hear the words in Prilla’s melodious voice.

I will call you if I ever need to talk, Sanford smiled meekly as he signed, the entire concept of him calling anyone was amusing to the masseuse. Thank you, you have my unwavering trust. Sanford’s signs were strong, as if by using the word unwavering, his actions had themselves become that. You are so much more than you think. He then formed a P and held it at over his heart, moving in a circular pattern, before pointing at the young woman seated on the bench with him.

Prilla.  

[zanerowe-blog]

Let There Be Light! || Zane and Sanford

[zanerowe-blog]

Zane scaled the other side of the scaffold with ease, climbing down and reaching the bottom before the other man, but he got distracted for a moment when a less experienced techie came running up with a question. It took a moment for Zane to point him in the right direction, after the initial pause Zane had to take to remember where they’d put the jig saw.

Pointing the kid in Barrel’s direction, not even knowing where his friend had stored the power tool after their last carpentry project, he looked over to see that the man was still standing there, looking at his shoes. “So you aren’t a tech?” Zane asked, eyebrow quirking. Any techie he’d come across so far would be off on their next project as soon as one was finished. “Are you? It’s a shame, we can always use more hands.”

[sanfordmann]

Zane’s question brought Sanford round from wondering where he would head next. He still did not have an answer to that question – no clients needed massages and no one else wanted his assistance it seemed.

Sanford shook his head no, but followed it with a rapid smile. He pointed to himself, the middle of his chest and then used his hands to sign. A fist on an open palm, bringing both out towards Zane. He knew that the young man would not get it immediately, but he was unsure if the tech knew that he did not speak yet. Sanford shrugged, tilting his head to the side, wishing there was a clear way for him to offer himself as a second set of hands.  

[nicholasozmund-blog]

Even Grownups Have Nightmares || Nicholas and Sanford

[nicholasozmund-blog]

Nicholas was half asleep, but even so he recognized the sign language. He didn’t understand the language, but he’d seen enough bits and pieces of it to know what it was, and it explained the man’s earlier gestures, and his silence. Nodding slightly, to show he understood, Nicholas pulled a notepad out from under the counter. Usually they used it to write down orders on busier days, but it could be used for this too.

Placing the paper and pen on the counter, he looked at the man, offering a polite, though brief smile. “If you need any help, or want to order,” he glanced down at the pad, then back to the man, “You can write it down?” It was an idea. And it was worth a try. Hopefully the man was literate. There was no reason not to be, even if one was a mute.

[sanfordmann]

Sanford glanced down at the notepad, thoughtfully considering it. He normally avoided writing down his words, finding that written words were nearly the same as spoken ones. Then again, so were signed words. The thoughtful expression, his reluctance, slowly vanished as Sanford took the pen from the counter and scribbled his answer.

Something strong, caffeine. Whatever you would recommend. Thank you. 

Handing the notepad to the man, Sanford offered a smile with it, although the muscles in his face were a bit sluggish to respond. The normally active and lively man had been taken down a few notches. 

[sanfordmann]

Mystery Massage || Sanford and Cyril

[cyriltrinity]

There were occasionally a few problems with being a bouncer and getting into fights. Getting hurt was probably the biggest one. And it was never a matter of his opponent getting any good punches in, these days they were usually too drunk to be able to, and between him and his brothers it was hard for even a sober opponent to succeed at hurting them. But without stretching, the cold Maine weather got to them sometimes. And every so often, a muscle was pulled, or at least strained a bit.

That was Cyril’s current predicament, a muscle in his back sore and bothering him. And according to the few sources he’d checked, other than rest and relaxation, which he hadn’t the time for, a massage supposedly would help a lot. So he’d called a masseuse in town, maybe the only one, he’d called the first number he saw and didn’t put much thought into it, deciding he’d visit after his daily work out. He might not be able to lift weights today, but there were other muscle groups he didn’t want to neglect.

It was shortly after three o’clock when he’d gotten to the masseuse, walking in to see a man sitting there, seeming to expect him. “I called earlier,” Cyril said, assuming the man remembered.

[sanfordmann]

Sanford looked up from his book, hearing someone enter the sunroom. He had never met the man before, but immediate observations lead the masseuse to believe this was his mystery caller; at least the stranger did not appear to be lost. And the following words confirmed Sanford’s suspicions. He set down his book and a calm smile filled over the neutral, relaxed muscles of his face.

Standing and nodding, Sanford motioned to the table, showing his client that this was his space to unwind. He pinched at his own shirt and then pointed to a small end table, the place where people usually folded and placed their clothing before the massage. He then gave a slight bow, excusing himself out of the room so that his client could undress and lay down on the table.

[sanfordmann]

Barricaded in the Bathroom || Sanford, Abril, and Kyrie

[aforgottenheiress]

Passing her had back and forth in front of her eyes, Abril gritted her teeth when almost no visual input happened. It’s okay. It’s okay, I know who I am. I’m…. I’m Abril. No, Anya. I’m Lady Anya. I’m in love with Garret Hunter. Gaston. I will not forget. "I-I don’t know, but I can see… a light. A phone? But it’s dim. Really dim." she scooted in the direction the light came from, but paused then when a sound of crunching came from behind her. Or, at least, so she thought. Her senses were a little strange at the moment….

No, she definitely heard it that time. Some sort of skittering. “Hello? I think someone else is in here…” still seeing mostly blackness, Abril turned backwards, towards the sound. “Hey… is there someone there? Are you okay?” she swallowed. When did her mucus become so thick? It was coating her throat, making her voice hoarse. “Com… come this way, if you can? I can’t see you.” the young woman’s heart was pounding in her chest, reverberating all the way to her throat and stomach. 

I… can’t… see. 

[topsyturvykyrie]

She opened her mouth to respond to the woman when a crunch and then a clatter attracted her attention. “Someone else is here.” She muttered, quickly, with a few taps bringing up the flashlight application on her phone. A blinding light she turned down to the floor but it was enough that she could see the girl, and another figure a little ways away. “No, both of you stay where you are.” It wasn’t that far, now that she could see.

Kyrie was thankful that the bathroom wasn’t large. It was spacious, yes. But in terms of room it wasn’t nearly the size of the ballroom or the others rooms. She waited a moment, letting her eyes adjust to the new light. Keeping it down, so it wouldn’t hurt the eyes of the other two. She looked over the floor, ensuring it was just rubble she was walking past and made her way towards the woman she could now tell to be a redhead. 

[sanfordmann]

Sanford’s efforts were working, he was finally getting himself noticed. And the more attention that was focused on him, the less that he felt he was slipping into a black, bottomless hole. He could not explain his fear of the darkness, it had always been with him. While he did not remember much about his childhood, he did remember having to beg his parents to allow him to keep his lamp on. He remembered the crippling fear he felt every time the power went out. His imagination always seemed to take violent liberties in the absence of light.

At the beckoning of the woman, Sanford stood up, his knees shaky. His whole body shaky, as if the earthquake was still happening below his unsteady feet.

The burst of light in the bathroom, while blinding, filled the mute man with such hope. He glanced around at his surroundings, watching the monsters of his nightmares jump backwards, burned by the light. A cell phone flashlight was a better weapon to Sanford than a sharpened blade.

Sanford obeyed the order, not too keen on testing his ability to walk and happy to remain in the light, away from his worst fear. 

[sanfordmann]

↳”Sandy” Sandman:Rise of the Guardians

Sanford Mann

Played By Jeremy Renner

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” 

Your Secret Santa has sent you a gift (part 2 of 2).

[zanerowe-blog]

Let There Be Light! || Zane and Sanford

[zanerowe-blog]

Zane picked the tool up again, getting to his feet before focusing on the light again, using the pliers to get a better grip on the knob. He had to be careful not to squeeze to hard and make the plastic snap. The piece needed to stay intact, or the light would have to be taken down and apart to be replaced, or retired, he wasn’t sure how bad a snap it’d take to completely break it. Luckily, he got it undone easily enough, and glanced at where the light was angled, aiming it upstage center, where it was supposed to be. Then came the harder part, focusing it. There wasn’t a pattern in that particular light, so it wasn’t as crucial, but he still wanted the light to be just right.

A few minutes later, he was done, and stepped away, just a few centimeters really, as there wasn’t much room on the scaffold deck. Looking over, he saw that the man was still there, and his eyebrow quirked, “Um, you can go down, man. I usually just take care of lights myself, I’m a crap teacher, and I sincerely doubt you get how this works, unless you have credentials or something. But then there’s other stuff you can be doing, this really is a one man job, for the most part.”

[sanfordmann]

Sanford kept close watch over Zane’s shoulder. He dedicated his observations to memory. There really was not a reason that he needed to learn the ins and outs of lighting a stage, but Sanford figured there really was not a reason preventing him from learning it either. He watched Zane’s actions with the pliers, then angling the light, and then finally, focusing it.

When everything was done, Sanford supposed that Zane was surprised that he stuck around on the narrow space of the scaffolding. He formed an O with his mouth before backing up to climb down. He did not have the credentials. He did not even have a job here. He was probably overstaying his welcome, and he did not know what other things he could be doing.

Once down on the ground again, Sanford looked at his shoes and waiting for Zane to join him. He wanted to at least thank the man and say goodbye before going on his way.  

[nicholasozmund-blog]

Even Grownups Have Nightmares || Nicholas and Sanford

[nicholasozmund-blog]

Nick’s brow quirked as the man stood there, silently, though the expression was interrupted by a yawn. He quickly shut down the motion, taking another sip of coffee, hoping it’d kick in and wake him up soon. “Can I help you?” he repeated the question, unsure why the man was standing there if he didn’t want anything. Even an attempt at conversation would have been understandable, but he just couldn’t figure out why he was there. “Would you like… a menu?” he tried, hoping for something he could work with. 

[sanfordmann]

Sanford nodded, a bit sluggishly, but it was a nod nonetheless. He needed something to kick start his energy levels if he was going to remain awake long enough to get though his scheduled massages. The man in front of him seemed to be suffering from a similar sleep predicament, if the strained yawn was anything to go by.

After a few more moments, Sanford realized that his silence was unnerving to the man, or at the very least, concerning. The mute did his usual spiel to explain his silence; it was an extravagant expression involving pointing to his mouth and shaking his head no, followed by some brief, pointless sign language. People tended to get uncomfortable with sign language. It was not his intention to make anyone uncomfortable, but he did not want people to get frustrated with his lack of speaking either. 

[whenthesmokeclears-rpg]

Sanford Mann || 35 || Masseuse || TAKEN

Character: ”Sandy” Sandman | Rise of the Guardians

Personality:

→ Good Listener, Selfless, Kind

→ Quiet, Easy to Overlook, Trusting

Background:

For as long as anyone can remember, Sanford has never muttered a word. Most thought he was simply deaf, but it becomes clear that he can hear everything around him. Sanford suffers from selective mutism, a curse he has been stuck with since the curse began. It doesn’t bother Sanford much, he finds actions are louder than words, but people around him often misunderstand him. He use to talk often, namely with one Malakai Pitchiner. He was full of wisdom and wonderful words, and the two would often meet to share the stories of their days. But ever since the suspected murder of Malakai’s family, and his sudden change in character, Sanford hasn’t had much to say, or anyone to say it to.

Sanford is a masseuse, and his clients tend not to care whether he talks or not, as long as he can listen. He treasures dreams over anything else, something he and Malakai use to share. A good nights rest and an active dream life can cure just about any bad mood. He just wished Malakai was as easy to ‘cure’. Sanford found new friend, in his fellow guardians from his past life. He is also aware of Malakai’s influence on the young boy Jack, and is determined not to let the boy fall onto the same road as his past friend. Sanford is noble and would sacrifice himself for the good of others. He’s selfless, and happy to listen, as long as you can understand his ‘language’.

Sanford has no memories of his past life, but his dreams are clear as day. Clearer, sometimes. And every so often, he’ll dream images of grand creatures crafted from golden sand.

Relationships:

Nicolas Nordic - Friend

E. Aster Raymond - Friend

Trudy Halina - Friend

Jack Overland - Friend, Wishes to Protect Him

Malakai Pitchiner - Once Dear Old Friend

Faceclaim: Jeremy Renner

[sanfordmann]

Sanford’s Silence

Sanford suffers from selective mutism, but at times, he hardly remembers a time when he was able to speak. Sanford chose to stop talking when Malakai lost his family; he realized that anything that he could say to his friend would be trivial in the moment. Sanford was suffering from a loss of his own, Malakai’s family was his family too. He spent more time at his friend’s house than he spent at his own house - Malakai’s family gave him a home, a place to belong. And all of that disappeared in the blind of an eye. Malakai turned into someone else, someone darker, and in a way, so did Sanford. 

His mutism came about when he sat down in mourning and thought about his life. His mourning turned into something grander when Sanford realized that he had nothing of substance to say. The days of silence kept adding up until Sanford realized that he could learn a lot more about the world by remaining silent. Since his best and oldest friend, Malakai, was focused on his own loss, Sanford had no one pressuring him to talk about his feelings, or really, anything. Silence was a friend who can never betray. There was eventually a point where Sanford kind of forgot how to talk. Use it or lose it. 

Sanford remembers being able to talk, but can only recall sharing conversations with Malakai. 

[clapforfairies]

The Lonely || Prilla and Sanford

[clapforfairies]

She sobbed at his reply, heavy wracking sounds that tore from her chest even as she was transfixed by the things that were being shared with her. Sanderson was speaking directly from the heart. She could tell. And what a conundrum that presented, a man who spoke volumes without saying a single word, and who wore his heart on his sleeve without a voice to defend himself if it were to be abused. It made her heart hurt, too.

Especially so when his next sentences registered. How alone he was, it saddened Prilla far beyond the effect of her own plight. He didn’t deserve to be alone. He was warm, like Brooke, or Treven. And though she wasn’t sensitive to the nuances of people’s characters in the way that he was, Prilla could tell enough to know that her new friend deserved to be heard, too.

I can’t imagine not feeling happy, with you. she admitted. I am happy now. You made me happy. Though it might have seemed strange to say so with tear tracks still on her cheeks and a mouth that was too exhausted to remember to smile, something inside of her felt lighter, just to know that someone else understood her. That maybe she’d be okay.

Sanford, she carefully formed his sign name, You… "are kind.” she whispered that last, though her hands still moved with her voice. “I hope… you aren’t lonely.” You don’t deserve to feel lonely…

[sanfordmann]

Prilla might have been the picture of sadness, with tears and distraught wrought across her face, but Sanford understood. He understood that sometimes, in the mess of things, with your heart emptying itself of worries and grief, there was a moment where you truly found peace. Deviation from happiness could be cathartic – at least if there was someone to work through it with. It was one of the reasons that Sanford stuck around.

There were times when Sanford found himself in a similar situation. But, with no one to talk to and his friends busy with their own tragedies, he found himself alone in that situation. Lonely.

Lonely. The word rang in Sanford’s head as the girl on the bench with him spoke aloud. He was lonely a lot. It didn’t matter if he deserved it or not, he was. But, silence was a friend that never betrayed.

I – Sanford pointed to himself, wondering if he should lie, focus on Prilla. But, if he could finally talk to someone, without actually talking, what did it mean if he chose to use his precious few words in deception. I am lonely a lot. But, I am not lonely now. With you. You make me happy too. 

[zanerowe-blog]

Let There Be Light! || Zane and Sanford

[zanerowe-blog]

"Thanks," Zane took the tool, glancing over his shoulder to see someone he didn’t recognize. Putting the tool by his feet, he turned to look at the man, eyebrow raised slightly as he tried to remember if anyone had mentioned anyone joining tech crew. He couldn’t recall, and what was even odder was that this guy was older. Usually new recruits were younger. But then again, maybe it was a professional they’d gotten to help out, who knew?

"I’m Zane," he smiled, offering his hand, deciding that the light could wait a few minutes while he introduced himself. In his experience, the tech crew were nice people, so why not make friends. "Nice to meet you. Are you new here? Or did someone get you to help out?"

[sanfordmann]

Sanford nodded once, a simple yes for both questions. He was new here, in the fact that he’d never actually worked here before, nor did he now. Someone did get his help, the very same person that he was helping now. But, as for how to properly explain the situation, without the ability to actually explain, he was at a loss. But, plenty years of experience told Sanford that things always had a way of working themselves out.

And with that, Sanford shook the hand that was extended to him, a light smile on his face. While he may not be employed here, the masseuse was good with his hands, and with tools, and he would help out whatever way he could; maybe learn a thing or two along the way. That was exciting to the mute man. 

[sanfordmann]

Mystery Massage || Sanford and OPEN

The day was getting off to an odd start. Sanford awoke to his phone ringing. But, who would call a mute? Sanford did not have the answer to that question either. The caller just told him that they would be there for their afternoon appointment, without leaving their name nor the time of the appointment. He did not recognize the voice, but for all he knew, it could have been a regular client or a new one.  

This left Sanford sitting in his little closed-in sunroom, attached to the back of his apartment. More often than not, the masseuse would fold up his massage table and bring it to his clients; it was much more convenient for his customers and it kept him from feeling cooped up in his apartment. The sunroom was perfect for those clients who did not have a place at home to relax, those who needed a place to escape. Sunlight filtered in through the surrounding windows and incense was at an almost constant burn. His massage table sat in the middle of the room, awaiting the mystery appointment.

Sanford sat in an armchair in the corner, a book in hand as he waited patiently, eyes periodically flitting over to the door. He had been in the massage room all day, afraid that stepping out would mean he'd miss the appointment. 

[zanerowe-blog]

Let There Be Light! || Zane and Sanford

Zane was up in the scaffold, trying to focus stage lights, yet again. Usually it only had to be done once, but someone had thought it smart to send the new kid up, without anyone who knew how to do it, and though the lights seemed okay, when they were all on at once, individually the focus was a mess. And to make it worse, they’d tried to focus the lights with the handle in the back, a huge no-no, as that was only for taking off the bulb, and they’d quickly learned that those break, easily. 

But he was the resident lighting expert, apparently, and after doing lights for more than a dozen shows, at that point, he was doing pretty well fixing them. The only problem was that one of the knobs on the lights, the one he needed in order to loosen the part of the fixture that would need focusing, was stuck. And there was only so much strength even a techie could apply.

"Hey!" he stuck his head over the edge of the scaffold, looking down at whoever was on the stage below, "Can someone grab a pair of pliers and bring it up here?"

[sanfordmann]

“Hey!” someone shouted from above Sanford, and he looked up the find the source of the voice, a young blonde-haired man, on some scaffolding, fooling with stage lighting. “Can someone grab a pair of pliers and bring it up here?” The question was left open ended, but it seemed he was the only one to hear the request.

Sanford had no idea what he was doing here. He met someone here to buy a piece for his motorcycle, which had broken down again. The masseuse did not so much mind the labor of fixing his bike, but his mode of transportation was beginning to become a costly transaction. At least when all the pieces that broke were particular, and not to be found in the local junkyard. But what he was doing handing around the stage well after he had what he came for, that was what he did not know. Maybe he was curious about the work being done. Maybe he was bored.

But at least he could be useful. He grabbed the pliers out of a nearby toolbox and scaled the scaffolding to hand the electrical technician the tool. 

[nicholasozmund-blog]

Even Grownups Have Nightmares || Nicholas and Sanford

Nick was in charge of opening today. It was true that Hayden was in the back, but with him busy cooking, and Nick manning the customers, they didn’t see each other. His brother may as well not have been there. There was no one else working the morning shift today, and though he usually wouldn’t have minded working early, or on his own, but he hadn’t slept all of the night before. Nightmares haunted Nick from time to time, of that day at the altar, the horrible memory never quite erasing itself from the back of his mind. Some days it was worse than others, but the previous night it had kept him awake for hours.

Shaking his head slightly, trying to avoid thinking about it, he looked at the coffee by his hand, thanking whoever had come up with caffeinated beverages wholeheartedly, and taking a long sip. That was when he noticed someone standing right in front of him, someone he had somehow managed to ignore. “How can I help you?” he grumbled, too tired to fake enthusiasm and politeness at that moment.

[sanfordmann]

Sanford was having a rough couple weeks, ever since the earthquake. There was only one good thing that came out of the natural disaster, and that was a chess game he shared with Malakai, after years of dust collecting on the board. His own mind had him in a perpetual state of check, with monsters lurking in the dark shadows just beyond reach.

Last night, Sanford woke to find that his nightlight had burnt out; in that moment, he swore he saw those hellhounds, with black, dripping saliva, ready to tear his heart from his chest.

Needless to say, the score was Nightmares 2, Sanford 0.

The masseuse had a long day ahead of him. While that was a good thing for his bank account, his stomach had that empty ache after a sleepless night, the one that followed you like a ghost and left you feeling hollow. His answer was coffee; thick black caffeine. He stood, staring blankly up at the board of choices, as his mind was stuck in limbo between sleep and decision.

The voice of the man shook him from his daze and Sanford just gave a weary, confused glance, not sure what type of coffee to choose as he usually brewed his own tea.