Big Bend (g/t)

Introductions

“Ready to go?” Penelope asked.

“Ready freddy,” I said, grabbing my phone from my dresser and putting it in my pocket.

“You guys weren't kidding when you said he was gigantic,” Penelope commented as she opened the door to our shared room, stepping out into the hallway. I was close behind her. She'd finally - in her words, given that she'd only moved in four days ago - met Easton two days prior, towards the end of a shift he'd been working with Angie.

“He really lives up to the ‘giant’ title, doesn't he?” I replied. I hadn't actually interacted with him again since we'd met on night I'd arrived. I had found my thoughts drifting back to the gargantuan alien on more than one occasion, though. That was probably to be expected; he was the first aphirial I'd ever met.

“I wonder how people are going to respond at the press conference,” Penelope said. We reached the end of the hallway. The desert sun, constant and oppressive, poured in through the window in the metal door in front of us.

I shrugged. I wasn't really sure. This meeting wouldn't be breaking the news that the park had hired an Aphirial. That had already been public for several months. In fact, I was apparently one of the few people who hadn't known prior to a few days ago - when I arrived - based on what I'd gathered from talking to Penelope and Angie. This would, however, be his first official introduction as a ranger at the park.

Penelope and I headed up to the visitor center. We were still a good distance away when I saw that Easton was already there. Even sitting down, he was taller than the multi story visitor center. As we neared, I could make out a large crowd of people that were already gathered. The crowd was thrumming with energy, a mixture of excited and nervous chattering reaching my ears. I saw Angie standing to the side almost the same time she saw Penelope and I. We made a beeline over to her.

“Hey!” She greeted us. To my surprise, I also saw Easton glance down towards us as we walked up. I wouldn't have thought he'd even notice what had to be relatively slight movement from his perspective. He met my gaze, recognition sparking in his eyes as he gave me a smile.

“God, it's hot out,” Penelope said, drawing my attention back to her and Angie. She was right. I could already feel sweat trickling down my back.

Another perk of the desert, I thought. My new environment couldn't have been more different than the urban buildings mixed with evergreen trees that I had grown used to.

“Yeah. I don't think I've quite gotten used to it yet,” I agreed. The three of us continued to make idle small talk for the next few minutes. Truthfully, it was more like Angie and Penelope made small talk, and I occasionally added in a laugh or nod when it seemed appropriate. My mind was instead wandering to the giant next to us. There was a small platform in front of him. A podium sat at the center of it. I watched as two men climbed onto it. I recognized one of them as John. The other, an older man with dark tan skin and salt and pepper hair, was unfamiliar to me.

The unfamiliar man approached the microphone. He greeted the crowd. “Welcome, everyone! I'm Daniel Perez, chief ranger here at Big Bend. I'm glad you all could join us today for this exciting day.” He continued to speak, explaining how the day marked a promising step for diplomatic relations between Earth and Aphiria. John remained a few steps behind him, hands clasped politely together.

“Well, without further ado, I'd like to introduce Big Bend's newest interpretive ranger, Easton Parks of Aphiria!” Daniel looked over his shoulder as he spoke, craning his neck up to look at Easton. Easton gave a small wave.

“I'd like to give Ranger Parks here a chance to speak, and then we'll open up the floor to questions,” Daniel said. He nodded up to Easton.

“Hi, everyone,” Easton said, giving the crowd a small wave. His voice was loud, but not painfully so, and I wondered if he was making an effort to speak more softly.