Mayor Iso of North Finmer sighs in exasperation. The black-furred pantheress looks up to the friend and fellow feline leaning on the doorframe.

"Canbell, you see this mountain of paperwork?" she grunts, monotone voice rather telling of the frustration that she was explaining this once again. The mayor gestures off-handedly to an imposing stack of documents. "I only have a week left to go through all these new forms. You know how fussy merchants get when they're delayed. That chameleon guy especially," Iso explains.

The snow leopardess hovering near the door takes a few steps inward, placing both paws on the desk and looming over the overworked official. When Iso does not look up to meet her unamused gaze, focusing instead on the form in front of her, Canbell huffs. A white and gray spotted paw slams down on the document, partially obscuring it.

"Iso, stop being silly. You put so much work in this year's festivities. Why wouldn't you deserve a moment to enjoy the fruits of your labor? I'll even help you sign the damn forms if it gets you out of this chair now." The leopardess leans back, a warm grin on her muzzle. "Edgard is bringing out the good stuff, too, later tonight. I don't wanna know the alcohol content of his mixes, but they're pretty great."

The seated pantheress stares blankly ahead of her - whether in annoyance or exhaustion, it is hard to say. "Yeah, they are," the town representative's tired voice mumbles in agreement. The faintest hint of a smile curls the corners of her lips, ebony fur shimmering in the lantern light. It vanishes a mere moment later, that unshakable work ethic taking hold again. "But-" Iso begins in a miserable attempt at retaliation.

"Nope," the snow-white cat interrupts. "The new year's party is for all. Your words. And that includes you."

When the pantheress' muzzle snaps shut, Canbell knows she has already won this argument. "So I've decided you're coming along," she adds, gesturing expectantly to the door of Iso's office, her spotted feline tail swaying back and forth. "Gabe will play songs around the fire, I've arranged for a couple games, Zosk brought the fireworks you'd ordered, and Edgard is doing snacks too as he always does. Besides, we haven't had time to properly gossip for weeks."

If the mayor's contemplative stare at the door of her office is any indication, she is considering the matter on offer, at least. More often than not, she does not pay any attention whatsoever to her surroundings, instead taking pride in her duties with frightening zeal. To the great surprise of both, the pantheress scoots her chair backwards and rises to her feet. "Fine. You know, I was actually thinking of opening an assistant position soon. So I'll take you up on that offer of signing forms."

Canbell, now with an impromptu promotion to mayor's assistant, snorts in amusement, already putting her coat back on to face the winter cold just outside the door. "Sure. We'll consider this party an exercise in mingling with the people, then," she quips.

"You're impossible," Iso teases as she reaches for her jacket, though she is entirely unable to wipe away the smirk that is blossoming her face. "Happy new year, Canbell."

Perhaps some air might do her good after all.