Beau/Yasha

Beau/Yasha is a prominent femslash ship in campaign 2 of Critical Role between Beauregard Lionett (portrayed by Marisha Ray) and Yasha (portrayed by Ashley Johnson).
==Canon==
Beau was flirtatious with Yasha in early episode of the campaign; however, she stopped flirting openly after learning that Yasha was mourning her wife Zuala. During the time that Yasha was separated from the party, Beau listened for thunder at night (associated with Yasha) and was concerned about not making Yasha feel blamed or ostracized for actions taken while mind-controlled - including stabbing Beau. After rejoining the party, Yasha's friendship with Beau grew deeper and mutual flirtation, protectiveness, and support became more common between them. The indirect expressions of affection and interest became more direct over time, especially after show returned from the hiatus taken from March through September 2020 due to COVID-19. 
At times Marisha or Ashley have discussed elements of their characters' relationship. For instance, in the Talks Machina episode from October 13 2020 Marisha indicated Beau's feelings towards Yasha were romantic, as well as Beau's desire not to be lonely anymore and to realize happiness for herself. In a previous Talks Machina episode Ashley commented that Yasha's flight with Beau was a special moment for her . 
In episode 112, Yasha confesses that she has feelings for Beau to Jester. The two compose a poem, which Yasha later crosses out and re-writes as an earnest love letter. Yasha gives the letter to Beau in episode 114, and Beau reads it shortly afterwards. 
Beau doesn't immediately acknowledge the letter, but a few days later talks to Yasha while in one of the ruins of Aeor on Eiselcross and asks her on a date: 
The Critical Role Fandom wiki has further details about the relationship between Yasha and Beau.
==Fandom==
Some fans have focused on the development of BeauYasha over time. One post points out that there was the potential for a relationship to develop between Beau and Yasha from the start of the campaign: 
For some fans, the appeal of BeauYasha is that Beauregard would get to be pursued actively by another character who might have requited feelings for her in contrast to Beau's earlier one-night stands: 
Many fans feel that there's great potential for both Beau and Yasha to find emotional healing with each other. One fan describes their dynamic as a "canon slowburn hurt/comfort" ship. 
It is common for fans to refer to Beau and Yasha as disaster lesbians, especially since both of them are awkward - this designation is not generally considered derogatory . Many fans also feel that their reactions towards each other are realistic, and their awkwardness relatable . 
===Episode 112 to 120 developments=== 
For some fans, Yasha's confession to Jester about her feelings for Beau amounted to confirmation of mutual pining, and is when the pairing officially became canon. For other fans, the pairing was not canon until episode 120 airing December 17th 2020, when Beau asked Yasha out on a date; in between episode 114 and episode 120, it was common for BeauYasha shippers on Tumblr to make posts about 'manifesting' a romantic interaction between the characters (whether a kiss, a confession, or some other gesture) . 
Fan reactions to Beau asking Yasha on a date were in line with earlier observations from the fandom about how much their relationship meant to each of them: 
===Post episode 120===
Events in canon temporarily postponed the date between Yasha and Beau; however, they had a number of conversations in the meantime. They are finally able to have a date which occurs in episode 126, Worth Fighting For, and takes up the majority of the second half of the episode. 
Fans of this pairing were largely delighted by the date itself, and an explosion of fanworks occurred.
===Other===
There is a Ship War between beauyasha shippers and beaujester shippers (see more at beauyasha vs beaujester)
==Fanworks==
===Fanfics===
===Fanart===
* Power lesbians power-hugging in an ex-pool by OrcBarbies
* I just think they're neat by lesly-oh 
* Beauyasha shippers how we feeling tonight by earthprincewu
* this moment made my heart stop by nikanono
* its all about the yearning by twistedseart
* catch me by nightmaskart
* just gals being pals by hollyoakhill 
* beauyasha spin kiss by ruushes 
* peaches and cream by avuhnoo
* you love so fiercely by theminttu
* soon I feel it it my bones (a beauyasha kiss) by thebotjock
* by brakken, April 1 2021. Illustrates moments from episodes 19, 65, 106, and 126.
===Fanvids===
===Cosplay===
===Meta===
* how they view each other versus how they view themselves by jonthethinker (archived version)
===Other===
*I had to unfollow beauyasha on tumblr cause it made me too crazy meme by lightdescending, accessed Dec 24 2020 (archived version)
* Beau & Yasha Supercut playlist on Youtube - a video series by The Mighty Nope on YouTube documenting the interactions between Beau and Yasha, updated through time. Parts 1 through 4 were uploaded on Sept 25th 2018 covering ep 1-35; part 5 on June 12 2019 (up to ep 66); part 6 on Aug 19 2020 (up to ep 106); part 7 on Oct 21 2020 (up to ep 112); and part 8 on Dec 25 2020 (up to ep 120).
==Links==
* BeauYasha page on Shipping Wiki
* Beauregard Lionett/Yasha tag on AO3
* beauyasha tag on Tumblr
==References==
Category:Critical Role Campaign 2Category:Femslash Pairings