athenavishal-blog

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dorothywaldorf‌:

The Chief Justice stood patiently as she waited for Athena to finish, tossing her coat over her forearm. “Not particularly - unless you want a twenty-two year old who just graduated college. I’m speaking of my grandson.” She hummed, her phone buzzing a reminder. “We’re still doing lunch right? I have reservations.”

“And yet I’d still bet that he’s 100 times more competent than my current assistant,” Athena retorts with a bright grin and the shake of her head. It was always lovely to steal a moment with The Chief Justice, whenever she could, “Yes, lunch would be absolutely perfect,” Athena nods, “I’m afraid I’ve been having the most hectic day and I need to get out of my office before it consumes me whole.” 

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“Okay well, I needed that yesterday,” Athena groaned into her phone, “Well, only call me back when you have everything done.” Hanging up the phone, she looks to the person beside her, “I’m starting to think I need a new assistant...” she sighs, shaking her head, “Know anyone who’s looking for a job?” 

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fernandoxchavez‌:

Fernando saw Athena from a distance, and saw the panic in her eyes, desperately trying to flee from her own table. He laughed, at her and gestured, pointing at the empty seat next to him. “Do you really want to fit in the table behind the giant decorative tree?” he gestures at their view blocked. “Someone might think you too are part of the disgraced few,” but he says it with good humour, not caring about seating politics at the party. Instead, he drinks from his champagne.

“Thank you,” Athena smiles, as she gladly takes a seat beside him, releasing a rather relieved sigh, “You know the more I think about it, the giant decorative tree really sounds like the ideal hiding place, don’t you think? If I can’t see them, the can’t see me,” Athena reasons, “Believe me, if I’ve learned one thing tonight it’s that the fancy seats aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. Besides, don’t the disgraced make for better company?”

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senatorli‌:

Familiarity was always welcome at these events. And not the familiarity that meant coming across the same faces that loved to force their way into proceedings, the ones that talked her ear off just to seem important. No, getting to speak to those actually on the inside, that knew tonight was meant to be a moment of peace for the most part. “Thank you very much,” she replied sincerely, she had been finding it increasingly harder to work out what was acceptable for her to wear. It seemed as if every day nearing 50 was a step closer to a nursing home in the press’ mind. So she chose to ignore them. For the most part compliments were subjective, there was nothing subjective however about women like Athena. But why should that deny them their worth praise. “As do you, the dress is really stunning.”

“Not too awful, not particularly great. So about how I was expecting. How about yourself?”

“Oh, you’re too kind,” Athena replied warmly, placing a hand over her heart. She always did enjoy fashion, even as young woman. Surely, she was a public enough figure to warrant her own stylist, given how often she was on live television, but Athena had always preferred to select her own clothes. (After all, who knew her style, better than herself?) Besides, clothing was just another weapon in her arsenal, she knew exactly which dress to wear when to serve as a distraction when she had to deliver difficult news. Headlines regarding her fashion choices were always much preferred to those questioning the president and the White house. “Well, despite avoiding celebrity chit-chat and pushy reporters all night, I will say this isn’t the worst Correspondent’s dinner, especially given that the food has been quite lovely, given how sub-par it’s been years prior.”

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cassiusxking‌:

Cassius had never not enjoyed Athena’s company, a rare grin. “We’re not at work, Athena, you can call me Cassius. I promise I won’t have an allergic reaction to you saying it.” He joked with her. Perhaps formalities had to be forgotten at some point, in some way, but it was always hard. Cassius understood that—and more so when Athena remained in such a state of professionalism. “Ah, other than that, it’s been alright. Nice to finally have an excuse to wear my bowtie.” He gestured, possibly one of the few times he did dress up beyond his black suit and tie. “You as well. I heard through the rumour mill you’re staying on with the President? That’s good, right?” Cassius assumed enough. She was more than simply good at her job, proven alone through her assistance to Theresa. “You know, if you don’t have plans, I heard through some of my agents there’s an after party at Cora Jones penthouse.”

“Cassius, it is,” she repeats, the name falling easily from her lips, even if it felt a bit foreign. If anything it was an indication of her her entire lack of a social life. Formalities and professionalism were habitual for the Vishal woman, so it was a bit strange to be here tonight at a party. The majority of her life had always consisted of non-stop work. “Well, I think you look very handsome tonight,” Athena genuinely compliments, motioning to his bowtie, before nodding, “Yes, by some stroke of luck I’ve managed to avoid most of the administrative chaos and remain in my old position.” She’s still trying to find her footing within this new administration, but at least she could take solace in the fact that her past work for Theresa had spoken for itself. It’s his mention of an afterparty, however, that pulls a quiet laugh from her, “God, Cora Jones? I think she’s utterly horrid, though I imagine her parties are quite fun. I have to warn you though, it’s been ages since I’ve been to a real afterparty.”

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notalexanderward‌:

That was the truth of it, wasn’t it? Theresa Wright might be dead, the world didn’t grind to a halt. He imagined that the young woman in front of him was relieved to be busy, no doubt. A shrug in return at the question. “Same old, to be honest.” What with the shooter already caught, there isn’t really much else to do. Sure, there was some lukewarm digging into if he had any other suspicious ties, but it seemed that David Schwartz had been a lone gunman. “Well, everyone is wondering what the ramifications will be for law enforcement for this gun bill.” Someone had to actually implement those things, if the bill went through.

Athena nods, “It’s a fair question to ponder. I know everyone is working their hardest to find the best, most efficient methods of ensuring that if the bill is passed then the country is ready." He had a fair point-- sure she had her personal views on the bill (it was fair the say she was overwhelmingly in favor of it) but that didn’t mean the transition would be easy. Transitions were always a work-in-progress...it was something she could speak to on multiple levels. 

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notalexanderward‌:

Wouldn’t that be the First Lady, he supposed? Or she must have at least approved of it. “I feel the same way,” he agreed. He doesn’t say: I’m trying to make sure no one else gets shot. Still, it’s better than being holed up in his office. Or alone at home. “Have you settled in finally, with the… transition?” He was delicate about how he worded it, but the fact is he was quite interested about the current inner workings of the White House.

“I think so...but there hasn’t really been much of a transition for me, personally. The world keeps turning and I keep working, I guess,” Athena replies with a shrug. She could certainly be in a far worse situation, one more akin to the fate of her former boss. “How about you?” she asks more so to be polite than truly inquisitive, knowing the nature of his work and this venue, “Work has been treating you well, I hope?”

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notalexanderward‌:

He grinned at her response, happy to be among good company, at least for as long as they would be allowed to stick around at this table in the proper people returned. “Number two on the list, the supposed comedian, Mr. McHale,” he replied, as he could deal with someone whose only sin was gluttony and he wouldn’t Sarah Jane’s husband on the principle of the fact that he was friends with her. “You must feel right at home, with all these people from the media.”

“Looks like we both need to make friends with whoever makes the seating chart next year,” Athena jokes lightly. “I don’t know if I feel so much “at home” I feel, as much as “at work”,” Athena readily admits,��"I would say this dinner is always more akin to attending a corporate party with your colleagues, then really having a night off to have fun with friends.” 

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senatorli‌:

The only person that knew of her small fit at her table placement was a very unfortunate intern that had gone home with a fruit basket that day. It retrospect she had been dramatic, and what was better than a physical display of how she was lagging behind in her personal ambitions. This night was fuelling her with a quiet but productive rage. Soon the tables would hardly matter, she had charmed everyone in this room at least once before and was prepared to do it all again. She just had to wait for dinner to be over. She had only had a few minutes respite from Kathy Griffin in her ear when the seat was promptly filled again. Thankfully it wasn’t another loud-mouthed celebrity or over-eager journalist in her place. “We can do better than pretending, I hereby grant you full ownership of this seat if it means saving me from that harpy,” she insisted with only a hint of humour, passing over a spare champagne flute too.

“You are a godsend Senator Li,” Athena replies appreciatively, “And you look absolutely lovely, might I add,” Athena adds with a warm smile. Taking the stem of the champagne flute gratefully, Athena took a long sip as she made herself comfortable in the new the chair. (She knew she had always liked the Senator for reason, beyond the two of them both being California girls in DC.) Looking around it seemed as though others had begun to move around as well and Athena began to feel slightly more assured in her decision to move. “So how has your night been? I do hope you’ve been able to enjoy yourself at least a little bit, despite some less than desirable dinner conversation.” 

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notalexanderward‌:

Alexi looked so comfortably seated at the table that no one would likely have been able to guess that he wasn’t assigned to this one. His gaze flickered up from his champagne glass as Ms. Vishal joined him. He’s been hoping for some good company, while the people he’d like to talk to were otherwise occupied. “I won’t snitch if you don’t,” he replied with a conspiratorial smile. “Who are you avoiding? Mr.  Groundhog Day, the sad excuse of a human and comedian, or Mr. Lindahl?” 

“I’m glad to know we’re on the same page, but don’t worry, I can keep a secret,” Athena chuckles realizing that her tablemate had made the similar exit from the table. (She definitely couldn’t blame him). “Would it surprise you if I said both?” Athena asks with the lift of her brow. "What about you? What was your reason for making the great escape?”

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cassiusxking‌:

Consider an invitation to a night like this more a blessing than a curse, but even Hermits hand their limits. Cassius would’ve preferred a night in, the so rare nights he barely had at home as is, now spent here. Jacket undone, perhaps formalities out the door—he wore a bow tie for fuck sakes—and sat. The bottle of red might’ve all but been polished off by him, but he could handle his liquor as well as any blue-blooded man like himself. The scrape of the chair, as he looked to see Athena take her seat, and he beamed appreciatively at her. “I might need you to sit there for the rest of the evening. I need a buffer against Kathy Griffin and all I’ve got now is Solis and you so long as you sit there.” He shifted in his seat to face her more than the dancing bodies swaying to the music. “Should I even ask if you’re enjoying your night?”

“Consider it done, Director King. I will happily stay here all night if it means not having to go back to my own table,” Athena grins, before chuckling airily, “I think it’s fair to say that I’m enjoying the night a lot more now,” she replies honestly. Perhaps it’s the far better company, perhaps it’s that the alcohol has finally hit her, but for the first time tonight, the smile on her face is genuine. If she had learned one thing about this dinner, is that each year tended to be hit or miss (she’s still holding out that the rest of the night will ensure that it falls firmly in the “hit” category). “How about you? How has you night been? Save chatty Kathy, of course,” she adds, lowering her voice so no one else could hear. At least she wasn’t the only one not really enjoying their celebrity tablemates. “It’s lovely to see you outside of the office.”

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leonsolis‌:

“Oh Jesus,” sighed Leon, “finally, a sight for sore eyes.” He nudged Donna’s freshly vacated chair towards Athena, hoping nobody concerned would mind. 

He himself hated chairs someone else had just gotten up from (the leftover thermal butt heat signature was a nightmare) but this was Athena. And she looked too frazzled to be picky. 

“I was dying here with all the judging looks from all these old women. You, madam, are at least are under fifty.”

“Never in a million years did I think I would be relieved to see you, Solis,” Athena can’t help but grin. But truth be told, he was a familiar face, who would be more than happy to let her hide out for a couple moments, and she could definitely use whichever friends she had.

“At this point, I will take all the judgmental ladies over 50, any day, above another hour at table number two,” Athena laughs lightly, “I dealt with my fair share of judgmental retirees, in my day, so I think I can handle a couple grandma’s who have been allowed to stay up past their bedtime for the next couple minutes.”

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After spending the past hour at her table watching Bill Murray pick at Sarah Jane’s antipasto Athena had taken one look at the way Bill Murray was eyeing her crostino and bailed on the entire table, altogether. She couldn’t believe she had gone from having Rihanna at her table last year to these two. Finding the nearest open seat, Athena sighed heavily, chancing a look back at her old table to see if anyone had noticed her disappearing act, “Can we just pretend that I belong here?” she asks to the person seated beside her, “I really need a break.”

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ATHENA VISHAL @ THE WHITE HOUSE CORESPONDENT’S DINNER

because she’s a fashion icon & extra as hell

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leonsolis‌:

(REAL OR NOT REAL?): IRKSOME? The rule against made-up words doesnt just work in Scrabble.

(REAL OR NOT REAL?): You know what they say. Age makes fools of us all. You lose all your power when your kid is old enough to see your grey hairs. It’s a problem. I liked it better when we had the power on our side.

(REAL OR NOT REAL?): Its CHOWDER. They eat it in Maine. And nothing good ever came out of the land of moose. Don’t quote me on that. They used to vote red. I hope to turn that around one day.

(TREE DEVIL): https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/irksome

(TREE DEVIL): Not a made up word. You’ve hear of Google, right? Not too old for that, I hope.

(TREE DEVIL): I know right? I miss the days of being the coolest person in the world to at least one person.  

(TREE DEVIL): Hey-- good food is good food, regardless of it’s land of origin. 

Text: Athena & Leon

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Athena Vishal → Tinder Profile

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nataliefuckingmeyer‌:

“As long as you’re being productive, people will always find something to be pissed off about,” Natalie says with a shrug. It’s an easy pill for someone like her to swallow, who cared so little what other people thought that it was nearly reckless. It would be harder for Athena; her entire career rested on appearances. No wonder she was fucking exhausted.

“Is it?” She asks, genuinely curious. “I would think an assassination would be the one thing that could bring both parties together.”

She shrugged as if to say: no arguments from me. It was the nature of her job. It wasn’t always perfect, but at least Athena could always bank on someone or the other being pissed off.

“If only it were that easy. In fact I’d say we’re perhaps even more divided than when we started,” Athena replied. She was always following the news, after all, it was important for her to know what was being said about the president from any source, but it never ceased to surprise her how the very same words could be twisted in to two completely polarized opposites. “It makes me wonder if unity will ever be possible. If the death of Theresa couldn’t unite us, than I doubt anything else will.”