[Survey] The Longest Night

Scribbling away at the document, Angelo side-eyed the pile of papers still in the 'To Do' tray; the ever growing and daunting workload that always manifested itself at the end of every year.

Those still need to be revised and categorized and... whatever else at this point

He adjusted his black half-rimmed glasses and sighed

Another busy Longest Night again

It was a celebration Angelo was hoping he wouldn't miss again for the 10th or so time. His work always kept him from attending festivals and growing up in Harbor, the city lights never gave him the chance to appreciate the night sky and most importantly, the meteor shower; said to appear like fire in the sky on the Longest Night. He was obsessed over it, always hearing giddy xeros talk exuberantly about it made Angelo yearn to see the meteor shower more and more every year. It was said to coat the night sky in gorgeous streaks of vibrant colors against the twinkling stars, from brilliant blues to cool greens. It has been something that he dreamt of for years but taking up the job as an archivist and all the traveling has left him with little to no free time or much time to celebrate the holidays at all.

Setting the pen down, he let out an exhausted sigh leaning back in the chair and giving his cramping hand a rest and glanced out the window. The hotel room that he was staying at in Torini offered a decent view of the shoreline. The sun was slowly disappearing over the horizon while xeros gathered along the beach setting up bonfires and getting cozy for the upcoming spectacle.

After a brief rest, he took up the pen once more starting a revision on a specimen document, but a jubilant knock on the door broke his concentration.

"Who is it?" Angelo spoke out loud, stifling a yawn as he spoke

The door creaked opened and a towering xero popped their head

"Who else would it be but me on the Longest Night?"

It was Onyx, the artist Angelo hired this year to help with art for the archival efforts of depicting flora and fauna. He looked just as exhausted as Angelo, but he still had a smile on his face shoving a grey portfolio through the door

"Please, Onyx, make sure to announce yourself after you knock. I don't particularly like people barging in while I'm working"

"Sorry Angelo! I'm just excited for tonight's meteor shower."

Onyx stepped inside, placing the portfolio on Angelo's desk.

"I have the Twilight Carnival fungi collection ready for you!"

"Did you include the Woodland Ghost as well?" Angelo asked sternly, grabbing the portfolio and rifling through its' contents.

Onyx proudly stood "Of course! Every shroom that was found during the forage is drawn and colored and in the most detail possible!". A talented artist, Onyx was always heavily invested in their work much like Angelo, but Onyx was much more extroverted compared to the bookworm Angelo.

"What do you plan on doing for the Longest Night?" Onyx asked curiously,
Angelo looking up from the portfolio at Onyx despondently.

"Work..."

"Work? You're always working! You need a break!"

"Who else is going to edit these though? And revise? And categorize?" Angelo side eyeing the 'To Do' pile somberly, worry in his voice.

"It would be nice to be able to spend just one day though not having to worry about this stuff. Usually the expeditions are my vacation, but I really need a break and it's always been a dream of mine to see the meteor shower. I've missed it every year and never got to see it either when I was living in Harbor. I'd love to just get to spend some time next year just doing stuff that isn't work related."

"Well, why not take a break and come up to the cliffs with me to watch it?" Onyx said raising an eyebrow

"I can't. If I take some time off, I'll get even more backed up. Maybe I should hire an assistant for the next year? Then maybe I can get back some time for myself."

Onyx perked up slamming his hands on the desk making Angelo jump.

"IDEA! I know I'm only hired as an artist, but how about I become your official new assistant? How about tomorrow I start!"

Angelo perked up "The meteor shower!? And you'd help me?"

"Of course! I think it'd be beneficial if I learn all you do for archival work besides the art side of things. And it'll give you some relaxing time if there's someone else to take up the helm...but enough about all this work talk, ready to go see the meteor shower? We don't have much time left before it starts!"

Angelo stammered, "b-but work!"

"But fun! and most importantly, meteor shower!" Onyx clapped his hands together.

Staring disdainfully at the 'To Do' pile, Angelo looked up at Onyx a smile on his face.

"Yes! Let's go and see it! I might not get this opportunity again!" Angelo exclaimed excitedly

"No worries, Angelo. We'll make sure you get to see it every year from now on. And not only the Longest Night, but every holiday possible!"

Angelo sprung up, grabbing their old leather jacket off the coat rack along with a woven yellow scarf.

"I hope you like cocoa too because I made some ahead of time! Just need to stop by my place to pick it up!"

Angelos eyes gleamed with excitement "Cocoa! I haven't had that in a long time!"
They both left the hotel room, Angelo locking the door and the two of them headed out into the chilly night.