honey.

   Gently putting his coat around her shoulders, before sitting down next to her. Nodding a little thinking about how it was a little chilly in there, “Yeah I imagine they gotta keep this place cold, the portraits would melt or something since they’re so old.” He gave her a small shrug. “Yeah I guess. I was talking to some French person, I don’t remember what he was, did something in the equivalent of France’s state department. We were talking about Louisiana, what if they didn’t sell it to us, dumb hypothetical BS ya know?” Looking over at her wondering what could be going on outside wherever they were currently being held. “What about you? Were you having a nice time before we got locked in here together.” A small laugh, “Ya know, it coulda been worse, we could been stuck we someone really awful.” 

   Nodding his head, he smiled a little as he rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah, thankfully I’m my only loved one who was here. So as long as I’m ok, I am good to go. I’m sure Alfred is fine, don’t think he’s gonna let anything take him out before he gets Will and Silas in office.” Aug wasn’t telling the entire truth, he was really worried about Charlie, but he wasn’t about to share that with Esther. Sure she was ok, but he doubted she liked Charlie in any way, shape, or form. Aug gently leaned forward, and gave her a gently pat on the back. “Do you want my jacket? I know it’s not anything major, but it can be some form of comfort.” Augustus felt utterly helpless in here, but he guessed that he could do his best to help Esther feel safe. 

   Augustus was snacking on some sort of shrimp dish when the gunshots had went off. Aug was very familiar with the sound, and the moment the initial shock wore off he jumped into a fighting someone or something mode. Not because he particularly cared about anyone, save for maybe Charlie, that he was willing to die over them, but more so that the White House was sacred to him and an attack on it was an attack on America in Aug’s eyes. The Secret Service however did not want Augustus fighting anyone for them and so placed him in a secure location. Suit jacket, and bowtie off, he had his sleeves rolled up to his elbow, and the top few buttons of his shirt undone. He had sent a few texts out, first to Charlie just to make sure they were ok, then to his sisters, his dad, mom, letting them know he was fine. Finally, he had also texted his ex to give Lily a kiss for him tonight. That was when he finally got company in his little hide away, Esther, she was on Fox? When she asked her question, Aug shook his head.

   “No. I didn’t I was too busy trying to let Secret Service let me help them out. Think they got tired of me really fast so they decided to throw me away in here to get me outta their hair. Are you ok?”

The sound of the gunshot rung through her ears as she shrieked a little, scared by the unexpected noise. It wasn’t like it was entirely unfamiliar, but the proximity scared her a little. Within seconds, Esther found herself being hustled out a side door, a small room off the main building as a Secret Service Agent deemed her accounted for and closed the door behind her. Of course this was the moment she and Alfred had decided to separate to do some networking as well. “Fuck,” she whispered underneath her breath, pulled her phone out of her handbag, still facing the door..

OUTGOING TEXT TO: Alfred

    Are you okay? I got moved into a contained room in the hall.

    Let me know if you know what’s happening?

Esther turned around, her back hitting the wall for a moment before another person was ushered into the room with her. She sighed when she noticed it wasn’t Alfred. “Senator,” Esther nodded. “Did you happen to see my husband out there?”

He’s seen how crazy elections can get and he can’t help but worry for the future. He knew his father could handle a lot, but… Perhaps it was silly to worry, as his father seemed to be able to overcome anything and nothing seemed to be bother him. Henry wished he could be like him. His life would be so much easier if it was. He nodded, and was glad that their marriage seemed to work out well, knowing from his colleagues that spending so much time apart seemed to put a strain on their relationship. “Oh, not really. I used to tag alongside my father during his senator campaigns, so it’s just… that but more. And there’s no one here in Washington to miss me. My only family is my father.”

Esther can tell that there’s something off about Henry. Maybe a product of losing his mother, or a product of having such a successful father figure, but she can’t quite put her finger on it. Still, she knows when something is slightly amiss - can see the old versions of her in the caution and dependency Henry has with his father. A younger version of herself in certain lights. “That but certainly more,” Esther laughs, keeping her analysis to herself. “Well I’m glad you have your father. He’s a lovely person. I’d be thankful to have someone like him as a parent in my life.... She took a look at her watch, noting the time and her plans to spend a bit of it networking. “I have to catch a couple of people before they leave tonight, bu we’ll talk later, yes? Maybe I can even get the channel to air an exclusive on you and your father and the work you’re doing on the road,” she smiled.

Esther didn’t intend on ending up face to face with the President tonight, but in an odd series of pass-alongs between conversations, she found herself face to face with POTUS himself. But she wasn’t about to cause a complete scene, not really. Not on a night like tonight. She wasn’t that much of a bitch. She also knew she would rather not tank her own career. “Mr. President, how are you doing, enjoying yourself tonight?”

@estherdanvers​

    Alfred admired the richness of French culture, but their poor hygiene and sex obsession rendered them second to England; which always, held a premier spot in his heart. Still, the opportunity to rub shoulders with foreign politicians whilst spreading the message of Bell 2020, was a treat - with his unmatched wife by his side, nearly a delight. She was beautiful, enrapturing all whose eyes fell upon her. Whilst they took a stroll, clearing away from the general mass, Alfred patted her hand, held within his own; piteous that a great man was brought down to Earth by a woman, but such was her power. “Keeting’s bill looms over the proceedings like an ominous bat - tell me, what do you make of their ventures? If only, liberals would stay in basement offices and artisanal coffee shops, where they belong. The Vice President’s husband, is certainly well acquainted with both.” He had a second cousin or so, who was perpetually pouring over a screenplay - he’d get along with Vir, swimmingly. “Still, let us not be controlled by the ire of our enemies; you are radiant, my dear. The GOP, believes you to be our bright future upon the screen.”

Esther felt herself blush gently at Alfred’s comment, felt her hand warmed by his touch, felt the gentle reminder of her wedding ring on her finger as Alfred’s hands covered hers for a moment. “And you look rather dapper yourself,” she said, running her free hand up and down her husband’s arm gently as they walked. Her lilac heels clicked underneath her as she took in the quiet moments she had with Alfred. They were refreshing, when they both were willing to stop. Not that Esther would trade the bustle of business for anyone, but she was always grateful to have someone to spend the quiet moments with - and Alfred treated her like his queen.

It was hard not to think about the age gap between her and her husband, though of course he would never say such a thing, but it’s difficult to think of himself as married to someone his father’s age. But from what his father said, they seemed to be a good match? He nodded at her question. “Yes, I accompany him on the campaign trail. And yeah, I imagine it’s going to get crazy for all of us soon.” Given that his father didn’t have a wife to stand beside him… well, his presence there did to model the perfect family image. He knew that the debates were the much anticipated event, and Henry can’t help but feel nervous about them. But he tended to feel anxiety about everything. “It must be hard being married to someone who has to be away so much.” As after all, her husband would be along with them for much of the campaign trail. Frankly, Henry can’t imagine being married at all.

Esther felt her lips part, a small smile knowing what was ahead and what was to come if Bell and Sanford were successful in their election. It near made her giddy, but she knew how to keep herself composed. She nodded, “Oh, it certainly is... It’s already there, and there’s only up from here,” she shrugged. “It’s difficult at times, but sometimes it’s in Fox’s best interest to have me traveling instead of in the studio. A little live coverage never hurt after all, but Alfred and I both love our work so much - it makes it all the more enjoyable to celebrate after being apart for a bit,” she shrugged. “What about you? Any concerns about traveling for too long?”

He’d taken a moment to get away from the crowds and despite who his father and how he’s been dealing with functions like this (though certainly not something quite like this), it didn’t do much to help with his nerves. Besides, most people weren’t looking to talk to him, but rather his father. He tried to look busy on his phone so that he wasn’t disturbed, scrolling through a work email when someone came to sit. He’s very grateful that he’s surrounded by familiar faces. His eyes landed on Esther, and it was always strange to see her. He never remembered his mother and had only seen pictures, and he couldn’t help but note how similar she and Esther looked. So it only served to make him more nervous around the woman. “Oh, yes, it has been,” he said with an apologetic tone, as if that was something he should be sorry for. “The campaign has been very busy.” He made a lot of appearances with his father, to support the campaign. “How have you been? Any exciting scoops?”

Esther smiled at the younger Sanford. The CEO’s generally quiet nature was always something that intrigued Esther - after all, if it was any indication, politics were a breeding ground for narcissism, and Henry never really truly seemed all that interested in such a world - he’d be in office already if he did want it. “I imagine things are only picking up for all of us,” she smiled gently. “You’ve been traveling with your father every now and then, yes? ... Things are good right now, but busy as well. Less exciting scoops right now and more interest in what the polls look like, but other than that, it’s always a pleasure to bring the news into people’s homes. That’ll all change with the debates, though,” Esther mused.

It was rare that Esther interacted with many people outside the Bell campaign when she was in their lovely company. Attending this event as a guest instead of a reporter was a welcome change from the normal daily grind - sometimes she just enjoyed a good party. She took a seat at her table, placing her purse along her chair, seeing Henry sitting a couple seats over. No surprise, really, that their team had been seated together. It was one of those weird things that made Esther a little... aware of her position. Henry, only two years her senior, the son of her husband’s best friend. “How are you doing, Henry?” Esther said as she took a seat, dark purple dress sliding into the chair a seat over. “It’s been a while since we’ve crossed paths, hasn’t it?”

event: state dinner

@estherdanvers​

It would be no exaggeration to say that he and his wife had become close to both of the Danvers over the course of his campaign. Alfred, of course, was his right hand man, the brains behind much of the operation - between him, Alfred and Silas, they had established a strong little triumvirate, to say nothing of the staff around them. But he had gotten to know Esther quite well too, by proximity if nothing else. 

“You know, it’s a real shame that Alfred would never run for himself. You’d make a magnificent politician’s wife.” He comments to her, the two of them seated close by in the midst of a fundraiser - one of the endless litany of campaign events. “Have you ever thought about running? You have the charisma for it. A gift with people.  And people are always saying Congress needs more women.”

It wasn’t unlike Esther and the Admiral to run into each other, to make small talk at events like this. With her husband’s work, it was common for the two of them to travel in near identical circles from time to time, and the fact that she had been able to fit so seamlessly into the pocket that Alfred had made for her was always lovely.

She flushed at the comment slightly, but more the second half than the first. As much as she was Danvers’ wife in spaces like these, she was very much her own figurehead in others. She didn’t really want to be just a politcian’s wife. But running... that was a completely other story. “Why thank you,” Esther smiled. “I’ve thought about it once or twice, but journalism’s been my home for years. There’s something so envigorating in being able to share stories with others, to be able to really connect with your audience... Regardless, I don’t see myself running right now, but I guess we’ll see. It doesn’t matter, though, my brother’s already taken up the Spellman seat in congress - I think right now I much enjoy watching that from a distance,” she laughed gently. She really didn’t need to be compared to her brother again.

     Never before had she been more thankful that she hadn’t sipped at her drink before Esther spoke – otherwise, she certainly would have either choked on her latte or spat it out in the blonde’s face, and neither of those scenarios were particularly appealing. “No, no, I would never– that’s not what I was asking at all,” she hurried to say, so much so that she talked over Esther for a split of a second. She had built a facade of herself, a public image that showed her as nothing but utterly respectful ( to those she agreed with, of course ). Esther was good enough at her job that she wouldn’t assume she’d only married Alfred to get a job – if she remembered correctly, she’d been an employed journalist way before marrying the man. There was something else Esther said that lingered between them, and Sarah couldn’t shake it off her head – how she’d said she got there the hard way. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to imply– I’m just curious. I’d love to grow in this industry, and it’s not always easy. I thought maybe you’d have a few pointers, that’s all I meant.”

“Oh I didn’t really think that’s what you meant, but a lot of people seem to think I did, so I like to clear the air whenever I’m talking about it. When people hear things, we tend to pick them up, whether we realize it or not,” Esther shrugged. Her communications classes had taught her a lot, and that was one of the most interesting things she had learned. She knew that despite being a popular figure on the channel, a lot of people still thought she had slithered her way up the ladder. Maybe she did, a little bit, and maybe she used her connections to her advantage - but any good journalist would.  “It took me years to get onto Fox - but the biggest thing I can tell you is keep writing what you’re passionate about. If you’ve got passion, drive - people can tell. And that’s what gets you noticed,” Esther said. It was the truth for her - despite the fact that she wasn’t always passionate about her topics, she was passionate about garnering the attention, and that was her loophole, not that she would admit it.

It wasn’t that he particularly cared about the failure of this bill, but considering the string of Democratic leaning bills that had passed over the last year, he wanted to see something fail. It’s a pity that it might have to be Charlie’s that ends up taking the fall. He rather liked the man, finding him fairly easy to talk to, and not too spiteful about what personal values he preached. It might not surprise anyone to know he was lacking in Democrat friends. He might have Alex and Anne (who would no doubt chime in and say they were technically unaffiliated). “It’ll be good to show some party unity,” he added on with a focused gaze. All of them standing behind William Bell. And himself, of course. “Enough about me,” he said with a light laugh. “Tell me, what’s new with you?” 

“And what kind of party do we have without unity, after all?” Esther nodded, tipping her glass in Silas’ direction before taking a small sip. A small smile moved onto Esther’s red lips, lipstick only slightly staining the rim of the glass she put down. “Oh, mostly busy with work, if we’re being completely honest. Lots of things to air before the election cycle, managing timelines and interview slots, making sure that the right people are getting the right amount of time. Other than that, I take the few moments I can spare, spend time with Alfred when we’re both not buried in work,” she shrugs. “I try to go for walks when I can, enjoy the weather before it gets too cold, that is,” Esther shrugged. “Yourself? What’s your spare time holding, if you have any left, that is,” she said, a gentle laugh in her tone.