When the Sand Blows (My Time At Sandrock Fanfic)

When the Sand Blows

The draw of Sandrock for an amateur photographer was the landscape. The vast desert was, as Saffron looked out the train window at one giant red rock after another, such a magnificent sight; she was sure to capture on film that picture that could draw attention to her and start her career as a photographer and maybe, just maybe she wouldn't find herself listening to another year of her mother harping on her about getting a real job.

Which, she did have a job that most people would consider a real job that got her by. It simply wasn't a job that required a college degree or that would land her a wealthy husband one day, which was, in reality, her mother's real motivation—that either Saffron would have the lucrative job, or she would, in fact, have that husband with a lucrative career. This, in turn, meant they weren't on speaking terms, the way they said being through Saffron's older sister, who'd managed to land that lucrative job with absolutely no time to have of her own while having that apartment place that was to die for.

It just wasn't Saffron, or so she thought as she looked out the train window at the sprawling vastness of the desert surrounding the small desert town as her adventure began. There were no doubts until the train door opened, and she felt the hot wind of the desert gushing in and rushing her face. A hand went up while her mouth tightened, right before stepping off the train.

And nearly fell the moment she entered the building to await the conductor as he unloaded her luggage. She staggered, frowning, before turning to ask the man where she might stay. It was the Blue Moon, which she could see from the station as she stood there wondering how she'd be able to lug her suitcase from the train station out to the saloon, but the look of the town made her wonder if she would need to use an outhouse rather than a natural bathroom.

Thankfully, there was a functional bathroom but absolutely no showers, the owner, who was quite handsome, told her. He was honestly to die for; as she looked at him, her heart fluttering, which was when the cook for the saloon let out a laugh. "Oh. Don't worry. The guys are quite used to us gals not being able to shower every day as one can in the city."

There came a wink and a look of confusion on the barkeep's face as he mentioned the standard fair that would be upstairs in her room for breakfast, making her feel lucky, to which he suggested she take a look at some of the local shops. Owen—that was his name gave her instructions on how to get to some of the local shops and—

She realized they thought she was simply a tourist with no real goals when she left. Touching a hand to her forehead, she looked up the street in time to watch a young girl with vibrant red hair hurtle past, excited about getting to go on her adventure before heading out, looking for someplace, something, in particular someone who might give her an idea of where she might start taking photos, while her eyes noticed that there were places for sale all around, reminding her how she'd heard the rumor that Sandrock was dying, which didn't make much sense given the location was a definite stopping point in route to other places.

She found herself at the quaint little shop called By the Stairs, which sold furniture, nothing she could take home for herself. For starters, it was her sister's place, thus taking away her ability to do much of her own decorating, but taking it out of Sandrock didn't seem easy. The site also sold fireworks, all five colors, not that she wanted to be doing anything of the sort as she was there on business.

"Can I help you?"

Saffron looked up, and for the second time that day, her heart let out a flutter. " Are all the guys in town this handsome? "

"Well, I don't think I can answer that question for you," the shopkeeper said, rubbing the back of his neck as she felt her face suddenly heat up.

"Did I really say that out loud?"

"I think you did."

"Um. Well," she looked around, feeling embarrassed. "Two questions."

"Have at it."

"First off, is there any place you would recommend taking photographs? Of the scenery?"

He frowned. "Well, I wouldn't just go out looking to take photographs. I mean, there are some pretty nasty creatures out there. You might want to talk to the Civil Corps to see if they can help you out with that."

Which was definitely a letdown as she looked down at the ground. "Or come back better prepared next time?"

She didn't really have that kind of money to be spending on the Civil Corps, though now that she thought of it, she should have taken the time to learn how to defend herself. It was frustrating. He laughed, making her feel even more embarrassed by her fumble. "Oh. I don't think they'd mind showing you on a map where to go, though I don't know if there would be any maps that could show you where those boundaries are. I know. You could talk to my sister Amirah. She runs Ceramic Gate, and she could go with you to talk to someone from the Civil Corps."

"I don't want to be a burden."

"My sis has to go out to get clay for her pottery anyways, so I don't think it would be an issue," he said.

"Wait. Did you say ceramics?" Saffron said, swallowing. "That actually sounds like something I could take home on the train."

"Oh. Sounds like I answered your second question. The pottery my sister makes is very beautiful, but then I may just be talking it up a bit much given the fact she's my sister. But you should definitely check her place out."

"I will."

To which she found herself buying not one, but three pottery pieces, feeling wrong about how she'd fumbled with Amirah's brother, yet Amirah said she'd introduce her to someone who could show her a map so they could decide where to go. It was then that the third heart flutter happened when she met Unsuur, who was more than willing to let her know of a good place where Amirah could take her to take some photographs. Yet, as she took the photos, she wondered if the townspeople weren't taking her seriously or if they'd thought her silly.

And her sister thought her silly when she brought home the pottery. She frowned, shaking her head. "Saffron. I told you not to go buying sovoneers like this."

"Yes, but," Saffron started, only for Indigo to go into what their mother thought and that Saffron had promised this time would be different, that it wouldn't simply be a vacation. Which Saffron remembered what Grace said about the cost of living in Sandrock, that the cost of living was low, which meant she might have a place that she could turn into a photography studio, and those three ceramics could decorate her home rather than her sisters. "But you know, I think things are changing."