adventure is out there!

Beau Sun • they/them (an account for nationalparkhq rp)

[callmebeausunrise]

Beau was not lost.

Nope, not at all. They were just... taking the long way. The scenic route, one might say. Yeah. They most definitely did NOT make a wrong turn on one of the trails and ended up on what seemed to be a lesser-used path, and they most assuredly were not confused about their compass and had already forgotten which direction they came from.

"Ah, crap." They turned this way and that, but trees were trees. They'd just have to pick a direction and figure their way out from there. "Th.....is way?" Beau pointed back where they'd come from... probably. "I'm gonna die out here," they stated frankly and without any real fear. "I'm gonna get lost and die of exposure. Or if I'm lucky I'll get attacked by a bear, or a... a cougar." They kicked some leaves at their feet. "Maybe I'll get a pet in before I'm mauled to death."

[chrrylpstcks]

Anya laughed at the idea of catching a cryptid on camera for her channel. It so wasn't her goal when it came to the channel, and she didn't exactly believe in them yet, but she shrugged. "Anything's possible. And of course you'll get a special shoutout when that happens. Hell, you'll probably be with me when it happens. We'll both be famous." She nodded thoughtfully at the additional Bigfoot lore. "Sure, that makes sense. Anyway, did you wanna keep looking? Or did you want to go back to the springs? I'm down for anything."

[callmebeausunrise]

"I better be there when you find one! You won't find a better amateur cryptid hunter in this park! Probably. At least I'm the best cryptid hunter you know." Well technically Beau had never found a cryptid so they weren't sure if they still counted as a cryptid hunter, but they doubted that very many self-proclaimed cryptid hunters had found any of the cryptids they hunted so at least they were on equal footing.

They grinned her way. "Let's keep walking! Who knows what else we'll find? Ooh, what's the craziest thing you've come across in the park while you've worked here? When I was a kid I lost one of my sister's dolls in the woods and I think it might still be there. That would be pretty haunting to find, I think." They laughed at the thought.

[9710144]

[chrrylpstcks]

"Beau, you're the best!" Anya exclaimed, throwing one arm around them in a loose hug. She did laugh, though, at the sentiment that she was a famous person. "Not so famous yet. I decided to start vlogging my experiences at the park this summer, so I've only posted one video so far about the first day. It's mostly for my family and friends to keep up with the adventures I'm having when I don't have service, but maybe I'll get famous though, ya never know!" Truth be told, Anya wasn't sure if she wanted to get famous off the vlogs, but she didn't really know what she wanted in general. "You know what's weird though?" she asked with a thoughtful expression. "I never thought of Bigfoot as an animal. Not human either. Just, like, a different entity entirely."

[callmebeausunrise]

Beau smiled freely at the show of affection, gently bonking their heads together. "Well you'll have to show me your channel, I'll subscribe to you! Maybe one of these days you'll catch a real cryptid on camera, and I want to say I was one of your followers when it happens!" They grinned. "I think you'd be a very chill famous person. One of the good ones."

"Well," Beau hummed in thought, "some people think that Bigfoot is, like, the missing link in human evolution. So maybe they're something in between. Not quite animal, not quite human. I think that would make a lot more sense than trying to fit them in any one box."

[gracvlvss]

emi heard the tone of their voice shift and raised an eyebrow. "no, we wouldn't want that." she said dryly. truly, if she could safely pet a bear, emi would do it in a heart beat. the safe part was issue. she only had so many gauze pads.

"no, it was an educated guess." she chuckled, "i don't remember meeting you last year and after a while we all sort of forget we're in the woods like this. now i check the woods like a check the mirrors in my car." emi tilted her head, "are you enjoying yourself?"

[callmebeausunrise]

Beau was pretty sure Emi wasn't buying their bad lie, but wasn't sure how she'd react to their real reason for scanning the tree line. Most people, Beau figured, would think their desire to see (and pet) a bear is a very bad idea, and Beau didn't want to come across as a crazy person. It was better to make friends with someone and then reveal your crazy side, that way the other person is already trapped in the friendship. Just kidding. Kinda.

"I haven't had much opportunity to explore the park like I want to yet, and I'm really curious about everything that's out there. I guess I can't help but want to go out and see it all for myself." They smiled at Emi. "I am! It's nice to have a little retreat like this, though I haven't gotten in any of the springs yet."

[paradigns]

"oh, don't die anywhere else either! that won't require paperwork from me, but you're my buddy so that would just be a pretty big bummer." kaede started to swing her legs from her seat atop the counter, her giant hiking books thumping against the side. kaede clasped her hands in endearment. it was great to connect with a fellow nature lover! "first of all, you're gonna love it here if that's the reason you applied. there's a reason i come back here every summer now. second of all, i could totally outrun indiana jones. wanna see?"

[callmebeausunrise]

"No dying at all? Man, you're no fun." Beau teased.

They grinned. "I'm really looking forward to exploring the park, maybe you could show me some of your favorite spots sometime! I'm sure as a veteran here you've found some very cool places." Beau laughed lightly. "Yes, absolutely. Show me that run!"

[chrrylpstcks]

"Can I get some of those photos and videos you took for my vlog?" Anya asked excitedly. It was probably the first time the whole trip that she hadn't had her video camera in hand, and she was already cursing herself for it. She smiled at Beau as they turned back to the trail. "I was more scared that it was a bear. But are you really scared of Bigfoot? Do you think they'd hurt us? I don't know why, I always imagined they'd be a gentle giant."

[callmebeausunrise]

"You have a vlog? That's very cool. Sure, you I'll send 'em your way. There's probably better reception back towards the springs so I'll text you when we get back. What's your vlog about? I had no idea I was friends with a famous person!" Beau tucked their hands under their chin and widened their eyes in faux amazement.

"Well..." They drew out the L, hemming and hawing for the right words. "I think it's fair to assume that Bigfoot is a wild animal, and likely a predator, so getting actually close to one might be dangerous. If nothing else, Bigfoot would probably try to protect themself. I'm not totally sure if Bigfoot is a gentle giant, but I sure hope so.

"Still want to see one though."

[chrrylpstcks]

Beau moved fearlessly forward, and Anya followed behind while rustling in her bag for bear spray. She brandished it like a soldier carrying a sword into battle, but as soon as she caught sight of the opossum, she laughed at the theatrics. She held onto the spray, but lowered it t her side as they admired their newfound friend. "Aw, what a little cutie," she cooed at the ratty little creature. "Have you ever seen one of these before?"

[callmebeausunrise]

"I think I might've chased one when I was a kid, but not in years. They're pretty cute... in an ugly sort of way. I like 'em."

The opossum turned to the two of them and opened its mouth, trying its best to look ferocious.

"Sorry, buddy," Beau said to it. "We won't bother you. Wait, cheese!" They quickly took a picture of it before backing up. They turned to Anya and laughed. "I was so scared for a second there! I don't know what I would've done if it was actually Bigfoot. At least you have bear spray, I just have video evidence of my imminent demise."

[paradigns]

"yeah, please don't die -- that's soooo much paperwork and i'm just not good at that stuff." kaede shuddered just at the thought of having to spend hours in the office and filling out a bunch of forms. can you even imagine her cooped up in an office doing all that? ew! "laying down the... dirt... you know, i don't totally hate that. maybe by the end of your time here, we can come up with something jazzier. i actually wanted to ask why you're out here at this job. i just wanted to feel your vibe, yknow? that way i can attune to be the best buddy ever."

[callmebeausunrise]

Beau chuckled. "Dying calls for lots of paperwork... You got it. I will refrain from dying on the job."

"You know, that's a good question." Beau wasn't sure that they had a real reason, but they'd do their best to explain themself. "Well I've always loved the outdoors since I was a kid, I used to play out in the woods by my house almost every day. I'd pretend to be an Indiana Jones-type adventurer. I loved it." They smiled at the memory. "Uh, it's been a while since I've really been able to enjoy myself outside. I've been spending a lot of time in the suburbs the past few years and, sure, it has its own ups and downs, but I missed the green. These beautiful shades of greens, the fresh air, the sounds of wildlife, all of it. I," They laughed lightly, "I honestly didn't expect to get hired when I sent in an application, but I am sure am glad to be here. I haven't been able to explore much, but I'd like to hike around and really see the corners of this place up close and personal. That's uh, that's why I'm here." They shrugged a bit awkwardly but smiled nonetheless.

[chrrylpstcks]

Anya chuckled at Beau's antics, prepared to take off after them, but they surprised her with a leisurely pace. She took it all in stride, taking in their surroundings as they strolled. "No, I was about to head to the springs, but -- what was that?" her head snapped in the direction of rustling. The adventurer in her wished she was excited about a possible Sasquatch sighting, but in truth she was more scared they might run into a bear.

[callmebeausunrise]

Beau wasn't actually expecting to hunt for a Sasquatch, they were more here for the good conversation and making sure Anya didn't know they were looking for bears, so the sudden sound of breaking twigs truly startled them. They jolted. "Holy--!" They cut off the shout, instead trying to make as little noise as possible. They drew out their phone, set it to record video, and inched closer to the sound. With nervous, shaking hands, they pushed a branch of a nearby tree aside...

And sighed in relief. "Anya, look." They laughed a little at themself for getting so spooked. Beau definitely was not scared of opossums. At least now they have video proof of their first close encounter with the wildlife of the park.

[heathyr]

i wanna tell a man he’s pretty and make him blush. i wanna fluster a man

[bsnchez]

their outlook on life was probably what brooks' therapist was hoping he'd come out of the summer with. so far, he wasn't feeling very optimistic. he did snort, though, "have you ever pet a badger?"

"but no." which was true, at least, and not just an un-subtle declination. "i just need to not get lost. and this'll help with that, so." he tucked the map into the pocket of his shorts.

[callmebeausunrise]

Beau smirked. "Not yet I haven't. I'm holding out hope to run into some friendly wild animals." They leaned in to whisper theatrically to him, "Don't tell the bosses, I don't think they'd approve of my goals." They winked, only partly joking.

They straightened back up with a friendly smile. "Well let me know if you need anything, I am, after all, here to help."

[gracvlvss]

she smiled sheepishly. "sorry. i didn't mean to sneak up on you." personal space was important, emi. "just in case?" she glanced back at the camp site, "i think we've got enough distance from the tree line." it was not at all convincing and now she was curious.

she smiled again, switching her drink to her own hand so she could hold out her hand. "emi. nice to meet you. first year? it's alright, it's really very safe."

[callmebeausunrise]

Beau looked back out over the wilderness, a good distance away and definitely not close enough to worry about any wild animals accidentally coming too close. "Yeah, you're probably right. I'm just... keeping an extra eye out." They nodded. "Wouldn't want any bears to approach us," they said this a little sadly.

Beau shook her hand with a smile. "Am I that obviously new? I'm sure we're safe, I just..." What's a normal thing to say? "...thought I might look anyways."

[lucywakaba]

She lifted her eyebrows, holding back a laugh. "For sure," she said. "Yeah, I'll get right on that. I'm sure I'll be the first person they ask about your headstone."

[callmebeausunrise]

"Well of course they will." Beau looked up at her, still lying on the desk. "You're the last person to see me before I die. You can tell the police how I died. My final words... And my last wishes. Give me a post-it note and I can write my last will and testament."

[chrrylpstcks]

"Me either," Anya agreed, though she was only tagging along for the thrill of the chase, and to spend time with Beau. She peeled away for her tent, and after a moment she emerged with a safer outfit and with her backpack in tow. "Lead the way," she told Beau with a sweeping gesture at the path before them.

[callmebeausunrise]

Beau made an exaggerated gesture of pointing toward the path and calling out "Watch out, Sasquatch! Anya and Beau are coming to find you!" and leaned forward as if to start running... and then slid their hands into their pockets and began casually walking forward.

They smiled at Anya. "So how are you enjoying the trip? Taken a dip in the springs yet?"

[allyouneedislava-blog]

[chrrylpstcks]

Beau's internal monologue flew right over Anya's head; she only grinned as Bigfoot became a recurring theme. "You are seriously determined about this. I love that about you, Beau," she said. "Mind if I tag along? I just need to get some shorts and my bear spray."

[callmebeausunrise]

Beau returned Anya's grin. "I would never be half-hearted about Bigfoot!" They nodded excitedly at her suggestion. "Yeah let's do it! The bear spray is... probably a good idea." Their grin turned into a sheepish smile.