let's be practical.

Maribel Vela. Chief Staffer for Liz Ackerman. 44. Pawn. Democrat. [primary blog]

[maribelvela]

dianahartley:

The annoyance in the woman’s tone wasn’t lost on her.  Diana had been sending a text off to tell her children’s nanny she would be running a little late.  “I wouldn’t know,” she admitted.  “Though you are beginning to worry me.  My son will be a teenager before I know it.”  The fact that Henry was about to hit the double digits was frightening enough.  A teenager?  That sounded preposterous.

“How old is yours?” Diana asked hesitantly.

Maribel kept her uneasy smile, gripping her phone hard. It was easier to express it around those with kids. Diana was a mother, that Maribel knew from the rep's public image. "Seventeen, thinks he's grown but he really isn’t," Maribel replied, trying to spin her complaints into barely advice. "As long as your boy is still polite and well-mannered? That’ll make it so much easier to weather through the years." 

“Of course,” Maribel added, calmer but still on edge. “They do take your mind of all the work, remembering why we do all this.” Says the woman who spent more time at her desk than with them. 

[maribelvela]

Rushed walking, heavy breathing, stress lines deepening on her face as she spoke. She’s all angles: brows down in anger, hand jutted out holding her mobile and a posture far too tense and straight. What political mishap has Maribel had to deal with today? “Raymond, no,” she snapped down the phone. “The least you can do after the mess you made with your friends on New Years’ is set the table for dinner. Uh and before you say anything, I will be home for dinner so don’t you dare say anything–” about my absence.  

Angrily poking her screen to hang up, she noticed the person near her. Maribel sighed, before quite literally wiping the sweat off her brow. “Teenagers, what can you do with them?” she put her hands up in desperation, hiding her near hysterics. 

[tastefullyoffensive]

(via TheCheish)

[maribelvela]

hans-starke:

[TEXT: MARIBEL (ACKERMAN COS)] - Liz better hurry the fuck up [TEXT: MARIBEL (ACKERMAN COS)] - I wouldn’t say that’s surprising. But good [TEXT: MARIBEL (ACKERMAN COS)] - Of course. If not me, who?

[TEXT: JOHANNES STARKE] - When we say she’ll take her time, she’ll take her time.  [TEXT: JOHANNES STARKE] - Not even going to humour ordinary people in believing they care about legislature? It’s surprising because it’s so unprecedented.  

[legendofbisexuals-old-deactivat]

[hans-starkearchive]

[TEXT: ?] - Already made up your mind about the bill? [TEXT: ?] - Also, I think I just found the best takoyaki in DC 

[maribelvela]

[TEXT: JOHANNES STARKE] - Liz is taking her time, I imagine [TEXT: JOHANNES STARKE] - Surprisingly, there’s been a few calls against it from the folks back in Texas. Something you’ll take credit for, or not this time? 

[londoncallinghq-blog]

“So, I’m just assuming you’ve never been here before?” Lauren asked, genuinely curious as she stepped into the bustling bar. “It’s the best spot in Washington, but the thing is… some people are turned off because it’s a lesbian bar.” The blonde explained with a shrug. It was her go-to place to hang out after a busy day at work, or with her wife on their date nights. It was somewhere the blonde had always felt accepted, she started attending 30 years ago, and the place hardly changed, except for a few aesthetic touch ups to appeal to the younger patrons. “Don’t worry, though, everyone of all genders and sexualities are welcome here.”

Navigating her way through the crowd, Lauren found some empty seats at the counter. Once she was seated, she pat the seat next to her. “What’s your poison?”

[maribelvela]

Maribel sighed with relief, her hand following her heaving chest. As a very comfortably straight woman, she was glad that she looked as out of place as she felt. She was as close as she could be to the entrance, and many had passed her. Maribel was further reassured by how the other woman seemed closer to her own age, so she felt safe to follow. While interns were with her during the day, millenials were completely different creatures after work. Many of them had passed and she didn’t know how to pass the time. “I was just waiting for an old friend,” Maribel explained. “She’s only recently come out, so I think she wanted to ease me into her new life.”

Upon the bar, pressed her face into her palm and elbow on the counter. “I’m not sure...” Maribel said, but she knew perfectly what got her. Tequila, with the lemon’s sour and salt to match the hell it brought next morning. She was too old for that shit. “What do you usually drink around here?” Of course, what do lesbians drink was too direct of a question. 

[briellenoveau-blog]

Brielle was headed back to her office with a cup of freshly-brewed coffee in her hand. The soft rays of sunlight were a pleasant change from the brutally unnatural florescent lighting that seemed to run rampant around The Post’s building. Pausing to lean against a stray wall, Brielle sighed contently, “What I wouldn’t give to have an outdoor office on days like this,” Bri smiled at the person nearby. “If only the weather was this nice everyday.”

[maribelvela]

Maribel was leaning against the wall in such a way that onlookers could mistake her for a smoker. Her heavy intermittent breathing, a brooding quality to her soft eyes, body emanating the high stress might have told that. However, she was just holding cardboard cappuccino to kick start the rest of her day. Despite this, the other woman’s comment gave her a smile through the exhaustion. “Nice to see someone count their blessings,” Maribel replied. “If you say outside office, I would just dread the lack of privacy. Glass buildings were always intimidating for me to work in.” Now, the idea of transparency in any form with the government was another matter.  

[minnie-walker]

”Now, listen– I don’t know where you’re getting your information from, but I never said I was voting against this little energy bill Mrs. President has written up,” Minnie replies, voice sweet as honey. There’s a fire behind her eyes. “But, if you would like to discuss the effect of government involvement in the business sector, we can go right ahead and schedule a little appointment with my secretary.”

[maribelvela]

“Oh, I just wanted to ask is all,” Maribel stresses, exasperation in her tone but not enough to be outright tired of Minnie. She clicks her tongue. “No harm in a small question. You don’t think the staff have already been relaying requests for info from each other?” Maribel wants to laugh but she’s far too intimidated by congresspeople. Minnie seemed to have her perspective sorted, even if she wasn’t showing it. Maribel didn’t want to convey that it was painful indecision in Ackerman’s office. “Your constituents aren’t obsessed with oil too though, so you’re not as pressed, I presume?”     

[maribelvela]

jpbenton:

Jp is incredibly thankful for Maribel; she kept him on his toes, and always had something for him to do. In this very moment, he wasn’t all to fond of her. He resists the urge to roll his eyes and instead trails closely behind her, trying to get a little caffeine in before he’d have to start working again. 

“No big deal,” he shrug, speeding up slightly to try and keep in toe with her as she flipped through papers. The name seems to ring a bell but he can’t immediately pair it with a face. “That’s a shame, we’ve got a few stragglers who we could move but you’d probably have to whip them into shape.” He jokes  before taking another sip of his coffee.

He grabs the papers awkwardly as he nods in response to her. The walk together now as he readjust the papers under his shoulder and downs the rest of his coffee. It’s searing hot but, he’s gotta’ get to work. “Got it, anything else?” He asks hands in his pockets.

“Our photocopiers still work as well as anyone, even if they splutter and pass out,” Maribel almost boasts. Halfway through it, she was thinking of herself. Years of working hard and she still wasn’t faltering. (This notion was debatable, although not to Maribel). “Plus, it’s just a whole lot easier to make the copies and keep them in the office than to do them elsewhere and bring them over. Better to move you, than the stack.”  

Where were the other interns like Jp? Like any other office character, the variety of faces and diversity in personalities was a good thing. Although, sometimes it wasn’t enough. Maribel appreciated genuineness, even if it wasn’t what brought many people success. Empty eyes behind accepting her orders just wasn’t enough, as if the ambi 

“Anything else?” She repeats, although it wasn’t mocking in any way. “You let me know if you’d like to do anything else because it’ll take a while, take your breaks.” Not that it would be a while until Liz would glance or even read it. “Repetitive arm movement.” She wanted to be considerate. 

[gwencalhoun-blog]

Exiting a cab, Christian Louboutin clad feet hit the pavement and it’s a sign of a new week. Oversized sunglasses shield light colored eyes and the designer outfit isn’t complete without the air of confidence she exudes with each clack of her heel. Before she heads to her office a few blocks down, Gwen is in desperate need of coffee. While she may’ve mustered enough energy to get out of bed and get dressed, she doesn’t feel human until caffeine is pumping through her veins. Stepping into crowded coffee shop, crankiness or impatience doesn’t arise despite the slowness from the overworked and understaffed baristas. “Tall non-fat soy latte.” Gwen orders when she finally reaches the front of the line. Her usual with a blueberry muffin, perfect way to start her day. “And whatever the next person wants is on me.” Glancing over her shoulder, she flashes a smile. 

[maribelvela]

It wasn’t difficult to recognise Gwen Calhoun in the bustle of a morning in the capital. She was so bold, radiating the confidence and collectiveness Maribel hadn’t practiced herself in a while. There was a time when. Oh, Maribel could go on, wallowing in the glory of her former humanitarian work. Quite the thought to have the morning before work. 

“Oh, goodness, no,” Maribel says, flustered yet alarmed. She puts a hand out — as if that would stop it — and emphasises to the overworked barista. “Much respect,” she continued, turning to Gwen before speaking to the cashier again. “But please ignore her. I’ll be paying for my order.” She feels awkward to pit herself against the generosity, one could feel it in the uncomfortable chuckle that followed. It cuts as Maribel realises just who she is. Sucking up was second instinct to Maribel, and she wanted to be prepared for any future scenario that required Calhoun & Associates. “Do you often start your mornings like this?” 

[maribelvela]

jpbenton:

Jp is incredibly thankful for Maribel; she kept him on his toes, and always had something for him to do. In this very moment, he wasn’t all to fond of her. He resists the urge to roll his eyes and instead trails closely behind her, trying to get a little caffeine in before he’d have to start working again. 

“No big deal,” he shrug, speeding up slightly to try and keep in toe with her as she flipped through papers. The name seems to ring a bell but he can’t immediately pair it with a face. “That’s a shame, we’ve got a few stragglers who we could move but you’d probably have to whip them into shape.” He jokes  before taking another sip of his coffee.

He grabs the papers awkwardly as he nods in response to her. The walk together now as he readjust the papers under his shoulder and downs the rest of his coffee. It’s searing hot but, he’s gotta’ get to work. “Got it, anything else?” He asks hands in his pockets.

Maribel was used to young apathy, just not from someone like Jp. It was a reflex for her to give a stern look before the equally strong lecture. However, he seemed to gather himself before she could even start. 

“Oh, how much easier it would be if interns arrived as ready as the likes of you,” Maribel said, letting a jovial tone slip. Only good manners to return the tone. While she had insisted he was the last resort, . Hard work was a value, something she had hoped this Capitol Hill would reward. 

Doors opened and a crowd of people exited a meeting. It forced them to wait for the hallway clear, so she turned to him. “Anything else? Tasks, no. Advice? You might want to grab another cup if you look at the whole pile. We’ve got to start understanding the bill, but that’s another ballgame after even just processing all..this.” She tapped the papers atop Jp’s grip.  

[tiffanyhaddish]

[maribelvela]

freddiereyes:

[ SMS : MARIBEL ] Hey, rude. I have a real job. I do real things. Betterment of society is my motto, and I haven’t paid a pizza delivery guy to say the words ‘you’ve been served’ for weeks.

[ SMS : MARIBEL ] You hate on Texas. Or you should. The only place worse to earn per capita income than Texas is… I don’t know, Arkansas.

[ SMS : MARIBEL ] Looking forward to your epiphany. I charge five bucks for each one I trigger. Hope your kids speed it along. How are they, by the way?

[ SMS : MARIBEL ]  O K A Y  P R I N C E S A. You’re a self-made woman and I’ll give credit again. It’s not like I’m doing real work compared to my prime. 

[ SMS : MARIBEL ] And I don’t hate Texas completely. Northerners don’t get its charm. My youngest is begging me to bring some Whataburger back! Not sure how. If we’re talking politics, I’ll concede again and could go on ... but it’s the holidays. 

[ SMS : MARIBEL ] They’re at their dad’s for Christmas. Think I’ll spam them with pictures of food with flavour beyond salt and pepper. Knowing his family, they’re so desperate to assimilate that their food is as bland. You won’t be having pizza though for Christmas, will you? That’d be a low. 

[maribelvela]

eackerman:

[ SMS : MARIBEL ] Not sure. [ SMS : MARIBEL ] Fell asleep just before and woke up at 10pm, so I missed it. [ SMS : MARIBEL ] Nobody is gonna care, right? 

[ SMS : LIZ ACKERMAN ] It would’ve been good to get you out and about  [ SMS : LIZ ACKERMAN ] No worries, plenty of chances to socialise and impress. You got this.  [ SMS : LIZ ACKERMAN ] Oh, what are you up to instead? 

[maribelvela]

graciewclsh:

[ SMS : Maribel (Ackerman CS) ] Nothing exciting yet

[ SMS : Maribel (Ackerman CS)] Although you’re missing some amazing cookies.

[ SMS : GRACE WALSH ] Do keep me updated, Miss CNN! Compared to airport coffee, veep cookies sounds very exciting 

[ SMS : GRACE WALSH ] You’re having fun?? Please do, on my behalf, I beg of you. 

[maribelvela]

freddiereyes:

[ SMS : MARIBEL ] Interesting, to say the least. I should be used to being the most reviled person in a room—after maybe Leon fucking Solis—but I’m not. Did an old Congressman nearly hip-check me into the buffet table? Highly likely.

[ SMS : MARIBEL ] How’s Texas? At least they say bless your heart when they sneeze and hope you die.

[ SMS : FREDERICA REYES ] Oh, give poor Solis a break. I can’t imagine how tough of a year it’s been for him. I’m still surprised you’ve got invited with your antics. Well, color me impressed. You never fail to!  [ SMS : FREDERICA REYES ] No need to hate on Texas just ‘cause a Southerner like me isn’t around to better the party. It’s a small thing called politeness and I’m grateful to be back where it’s more common.  [ SMS : FREDERICA REYES ] Although you’re probably right. Even I’ll get sick of the smothering this week.