practice structure determines success

‘You could certainly say that I’ve never underestimated myself, there’s nothing wrong with being ambitious.’ Antonia Wilds. Director of Grimstone Point. I'm here to keep things running smoothly.

[actingdirectorwilds]

vicmartell​:

Victoria thought about it for a pause. She’d be considering landscaping and gardening to be interchangeable, though she knew they weren’t, not really. “I guess mostly more gardening? I’d just like more space to plant and plan flowers, I guess.” It helped calm her to think about the plants that would thrive where she planted them, plan colors off of each other, put them in the earth, and watch them grow. She saw so much death and the aftermath, it was soothing to facilitate life. “Yeah, actually.” Victoria brightened, standing straighter, “Archives would be great. And I know internet time is limited but if I could just be able to access newspapers and their archives as well.”

.

That was what Antonia had expected. She nodded, jotting down a clarification for herself. “Sure, More space to plant flowers is something we can create.” That would be easy enough to execute, as long as she could get the board to approve the space, which seemed like no problem to her. “And we will access some archives for you. Do you have preferred newspapers or sources, or would you like a variety?” She didn’t know if the spirits were all local to the area or more diverse, which would probably matter in some way she didn’t understand as well.

[actingdirectorwilds]

leviwilliams​:

Levi was prepping his speech from the moment he’d left the coffee shop, two rapidly melting blended coffees in hands. Antonia wouldn’t mind him just dropping by - would she? He was bringing coffee after all, he always brought her a coffee. The sign had advertised a white chocolate pumpkin frappe with a white chocolate whipped cream and he just had to take one to her to try. “Okay, before you get mad,” he started as he rounded the corner into her, thankfully, open office, “Try one of these.” He triumphantly placed a drink gingerly on the edge of Antonia’s desk, sliding a napkin under it to catch the condensation. 

@actingdirectorwilds​

.

Antonia hated supply days. She didn’t mean bureaucracy for the most part--she liked the satisfaction of paperwork well done--but there was something particularly annoying to her about having to approve purchases and account and other operational business. She normally insisted no one bother her on supply days, but the moment she heard Levi’s voice, her complaint died on her tongue. “What did you bring me this time?” she asked, taking her reading glasses off so she could look him in the eye. The boy had uncanny timing when it came to interrupting her worst days. She had to appreciate him for it. “Is it going to send my blood-sugar racing?”

[actingdirectorwilds]

vicmartell​:

Victoria stood straighter, not having expected Antonia to have been as receptive to her tawdry complaint of gardening supplies. “Uh, I mean, yeah. I’d love to have freer reign over flowers and where I can plant them. If it’s in the uh - budget, I mean. I think I’m the only one that really does any kind of landscaping.” She thought carefully about her answers in regard to her power. Victoria didn’t hate her power, not really. She hated the way people looked at her when they understood it or saw it, but she helped people. Gave them peace and the ability to move on as they were supposed to. “No? At least, I don’t think I do. I help people, Ms. Wilds. I give people peace. I guess I train, in my own way. I spend my computer time researching for people I’ve brought back.”

Antonia paused. They didn’t want Victoria planting willy-nilly, obviously. But if she wanted to landscape. “Do you want more gardens, or do you want landscaping to be one of the service options? I’m not saying no to either, but I want to make sure I understand what you’re looking for. Different administrative avenues for different plans, you know.” She wrote down that the girl wanted more gardening on her survey anyway--she could always add the more specific answer later. “I’m sure you do, Victoria.” She hoped her tone was reassuring, but in reality, she had no idea. She wasn’t sure if she even really believed in spirits, despite having read Victoria’s file. “Is there anything we can do to help with that? I cannot expand computer time, but books or other archives could be added to the library.”

[actingdirectorwilds]

vicmartell​:

Victoria rocked on her heels, keeping a tight grip on the glass of water in hand as she considered what else she wanted to say. “I enjoy doing the gardening as my community service but…” she rolled her lips together, “There’s really only one good spade and they told me there wasn’t any point in ordering more seeds.” She was never one to complain, normally, but if she had to do the gardening as part of the side of town in which she lived, then she was going to do it right and she was at a bit of a stalemate with the person in charge of divvying out supplies and areas to her. “Not really?” She said hesitantly in response to the director’s question of training, “I feel like I have a good handle on the spirits when I do see them. I don’t really want to make them appear at will since I can’t control who comes. Not everybody turns into a spirit.” 

.

Not enough spades? Antonia turned away to dig in her purse for a post-it pad. She pulled off a post it, stuck it to her clipboard, and jotted herself a note to look into that, eyebrows raised. “Well, if you need more spades, that’s a pretty easy fix. Anything else at the garden lacking? If I’m going to have someone order supplies, I’d like to do it all at once.” Efficiency, after all, was something Antonia expected to make a hallmark of administration in Grimstone Point. As for the powers, Antonia simply noted Victoria’s answers, not sure what to make of that. She had no idea how the girl’s powers worked, only that it was something she preferred not to make her responsibility. That was for the scientists. “I see. But you don’t want to suppress them either?” Her own curiosity about who did or didn’t become a spirit was hardly relevant, now was it? That was too personal to bring to a resident.

[actingdirectorwilds]

girl-in-your-head​:

Brooklyn listing things she liked about Grimstone Park was far harder than the things she didn’t like.  It wasn’t so much that the place was bad, as much as Brooklyn would much rather live her life out in the real world more than in some town under surveillance.   She didn’t see herself as any sort of threat, and refused to acknowledge the ways her powers could really make her one.  She just didn’t like rules, and felt they shouldn’t apply to her, so why would she live in a place that was basically there to hold her in place?  No, this place could be exactly like the outside world (and in many ways it was) but she’d still hate it, on principle. “I don’t know,” she said, hard to hid the dismissal from her voice,”  The food is good I guess.”   She didn’t want to admit to anything good, figuring if they felt it still wasn’t up to par, it was just all the more they could run around trying to make it better.

.

Antonia pulled out her clipboard from her bag and began jotting down notes. It was like Miss Dane had unknowingly given her a gift--all sorts of praise of the elements of Grimstone Point, and none for those in Grimstone Park. “I see,” she answered, trying to make sure she got down everything Miss Dane said. The wants she’d listed earlier, the things about Grimstone Park she disliked. Her paltry list of things she liked about the town.

When she was done taking notes, she looked up at Miss Dane, still trying at least to keep the mask of professionalism up. “Thank you Miss Dane. I will note your concerns about Grimstone Park at our next meeting.” She would--if nothing else, it would allow her to gloat, something Antonia did love to do. “Now, is there anything else you’d like the director or Mr. Patterson or myself to know?”

[actingdirectorwilds]

vicmartell​:

Victoria smiled demurely, keeping her lips tight together and nodding in agreement and feeling appreciative of the fact that her opinion mattered enough for the conversation to be taking place. “No, no, no,” Vic hurried to clarify, “I mean, I go to work and I come home to paint or I do my community service at the garden. That’s my decision. There’s plenty for me to do when I feel like going out.” Truth was though that she much preferred to stay in her house. “The training facility…” She trailed off, picking at the skin around her fingernails, “I’m sure it’s great for most people and their powers. I just don’t have a use for anything in it. The spirits find me wherever and whenever. I don’t call them so I don’t use the training facility more than required and even then…I can’t really do much.”

.

Antonia felt instantly relieved at the girl’s correction. Well, mostly relieved. She knew in some vague part of the back of her mind that a girl Miss Martell’s age was supposed to have some sort of social life, but Antonia hadn’t had a social life and she turned out more than fine, thank you very much. “As long as it’s your decision,” Antonia replied with what she hoped was a gentle tone. Her assurances about the training facility were good as well, though less enthusiastic as she would like. “I see. And--well, so, training doesn’t do much for you. Does that bother you much?” In truth, she had no idea if that was something the government could fix or improve upon, but she didn’t like the idea of leaving any part of her town sub-par. “Is there some way we could improve your training experiences? Either to make them happen, well, less often at random, or more often when you want them?”

[actingdirectorwilds]

girl-in-your-head​:

“Grimstone Point?”  Brooklyn asked, feigning surprise,”  I live in Grimstone Park, Director.”   She smiled sweetly at the mistake, but then answered the question anyway,”  My living arrangement isn’t the worst I’ve been in… certainly could be better.  If you’re looking for suggestions:  faster internet and the ability to choose who I live with, would be an excellent start.”

Antonia frowned. Yes, of course Miss Dane lived in Grimstone Park. Where had that come from? “My apologies, Miss Dane. It must be a force of habit. I don’t do much outreach across town lines; I’m new.” She listened to Miss Dane’s suggestions, pleased that it was all things that Grimstone Point was already doing. As far as the experiment was going, her side certainly seemed to be the better one. “I see,” she said, doing her best to mask her reaction. “And--well, are there things you particularly like about Grimstone Park?”

[actingdirectorwilds]

vicmartell​:

Victoria nodded as she sipped her water, trying her best to relax as much as she could. She didn’t have a reason to be nervous, she’d be better to act like it. “Trying to hear the voice of the people?” Vic joked with a chuckle to herself, awkwardly swirling her glass of water in her hand. “I’m all right today, I suppose,” she answered, unable to keep her eyes from straying to the paper in the woman’s hands, “I don’t, honestly, do all that much besides work, train, and paint.” Victoria grimaced at the word ‘train’, using it as a lose term. “Well, as much as I can train, anyway.”

Antonia took a sip of her own drink, flashing Miss Martell a more comfortable smile. “Something like that, yes. I can’t very well run a town if I am oblivious to the needs of its populace, can I?” That, and the director had told her to do it. But, of course, she liked to seem like she was in charge of her own decisions. “Do you not do much because there’s nothing you want to do?” she asked, small concern rising in her voice. “And--is there a problem with the training facility?” She knew Miss Martell’s power was--ahem--different, but not knowing how training work in general, she would have to rely on the girl’s reports to ensure that the town’s supports were correct.

[actingdirectorwilds]

vicmartell​:

At the request for water, Victoria immediately turned and headed for the kitchen without hesitation. She heard the woman continue talking, grimacing to herself with her back turned to the Director. As a child, she’d always had an almost inability to·“play it cool.” Her nerves frequently got the best of her, leaving her acting squirmy and skittish.·“Right, sorry.” Vic apologized, coming back into the dining area and flashing a quick smile.·“I just can’t say I’m used to having the Director in my house.” She stopped, taking a drink of her own water.

Antonia took the glass from the girl with a curt, “thank you,” though as she looked at her, she could see she would need to at least try to seem warmer. Warmth was not one of Antonia’s strong suits. She was typically regarded as cold, and she had no problem with that, except in the event that it got in the way of her work, which it was doing now. So she smiled, too, relaxed her posture, and tried to generally seem more friendly, whatever that meant. “I’m not used to being in residents’ houses,” she answered. “But that’s precisely what we’re--I’m--trying to change.” She pulled open her bag and took out the clipboard with the questions on it, and a pen. “Well, let’s start with this. How are you feeling today? What’s going on in your life?” It wasn’t strictly on her list of questions, but she knew that small talk made people more comfortable.

[actingdirectorwilds]

vicmartell​:

Victoria led the Director deeper into her home, hands in front of her, picking at her nails nervously as she did. Not that Victoria had any reason to be nervous. She didn’t do much at all around Grimstone, let alone do anything wrong. Vic stopped near the kitchen table, gesturing for the Director to have a seat.·“Please, you can call me Victoria. Or Vic. Just never Tori.” She paused, looking back down at where she was picking at her fingernails and thinking she was prattling on too long.·“Can I get you anything? A water?”

Antonia followed the woman through the house, observing as she went. For the most part, it was just what she’d seen in all the other houses. Of course, there were personal touches and design, but the basic layout was the same. “Victoria,” Antonia repeated. She wasn’t one for informalities. She liked propriety. “Water would be very nice, thank you.” The girl seemed skittish. Possibly even nervous. “You’re not in trouble or anything, Mi--Victoria,” she clarified. “It’s just a few question for a survey. Nothing to fret over.”

[actingdirectorwilds]

vicmartell​:

Victoria opened the door and then frowned in confusion slightly. She certainly knew who the woman was, but didn’t understand why she herself was at residents’ doors with a survey. Victoria had to imagine there was a whole department for that. She smiled politely, opening the door wider for the Director, “Sure, I have time. Would you like to come in?”

“That would be very nice, thank you.” Antonia didn’t often enter the homes of residents--she had no need to--but given the circumstances, she would feel more comfortable sitting at a table inside than standing in the doorway outside. “How are you doing today, Miss Martell?”

[actingdirectorwilds]

girl-in-your-head​:

Brooklyn hadn’t really expected a survey when it came to Grimstone.  It wasn’t like they all had much decision being here, so it felt like you simply made do with what you got.  Of course, Brooklyn herself made sure she got  to make due with the better of the two sections of Grimstone, and part of her wondered if this was perhaps some follow up on the ‘mix up’.   It was an easy enough fix if so.

“I can spare a few minutes, sure,”  she said to the Director with an innocent smile,” What would you like to know?”

In addition to not expecting the role of interviewer, Antonia had to admit that she didn’t expect Miss Dane to respond. The woman was not particularly known for being compliant. Still, she was a resident--one in Antonia’s own town--so it stood to reason that Antonia should at least be interested in what she had to say. “Excellent,” she answered, pulling out the clipboard with the questions that had been given to her. “How would you describe your living arrangement in Grimstone Point?” she began.

[actingdirectorwilds]

“Hi, I’m--well, you know who I am. I was wondering if I could ask you a few questions about your life here?” This wasn’t what Antonia had had in mind when she’d told the director that she missed the fieldwork of her life back before The Lake Grimstone Project. What she had missed was the action. This--doing a survey--was hardly actionful. But it was important. And she was a master at paperwork, so how hard could this be? “It should only take a few minutes.”

[actingdirectorwilds]

1, 13, 19, 23, 39

1. What’s one thing you would like to change about yourself?

Nothing. I like who I am.

13. Does the most important person in your life know how much they mean to you?

He’s only eight so I doubt it.

19. If you could ask one person a single question and they had to answer 100% truthfully, who would you ask and what would you ask them?

When I was a rookie, I played back-up in a huge sting operation. The guy ended up going free on a technicality. I would wear a wire and ask him what crimes he’d committed. 

23. What was the last thing you did that was really worth remembering?

I saw a production of King Lear last time I left Grimstone Point. It was excellent.

39. What or who have you given up on?

Work-life balance.

[lakegrimstonerpg]

“Everyone needs order and structure in their life”

» ABOUT

NAME: Antonia Wilds AGE: Thirty Eight OCCUPATION: Director of Grimstone Point TOWN: Grimstone Point

» HISTORY

Antonia Wilds is a strong dedicated woman who put her personal life on the back burner for her career. Since she was little Antonia was always driven by the desire to accomplish something with her life. Being so driven and determined on achieving it left no margin for anything else in her life. When she was young it was all about school and her grades as she grew older work was what took over her life. It wasn’t that Antonia was antisocial because she did have an odd friend here and there and even a guy that had proposed to her at least twice but Antonia always asked him to wait until she got that next promotion and then when that promotion came she asked for the next one. Her supervisors noticed her dedication to her job as an FBI field agent and they realized that she was perfect for the job of helping oversee the program that they call the Lake Grimstone Project.

To Antonia, overseeing Grimstone Point was just a stepping stone towards bigger and better things; she didn’t plan on staying there her whole life the way the residents are forced to do, or at least that’s the way she always saw it at first. As time wore on, she began to see her work as invaluable–residents needed someone to guide them and to ensure their lives were orderly and pleasant, and the rest of the world was safer when those with gifts had their needs met without the use of their powers. It was, in her eyes, mutually beneficial for her to run the town under the guidelines she was using.

Admittedly, she recognizes that trapping people in a town that they cannot leave and preventing access to their families and loved ones is not ideal; however, she does not see Grimstone Park’s plan as viable either, and even if she did, it is best for her ambitions if she can prove her town is best. Antonia is competitive at heart, and needs to believe that she is doing a better job than anyone else if she wants to be able to advance her career. She tries to balance being vulnerable and friendly to residents with that ambition, but when push comes to shove, she knows which one will win out.

» CONNECTIONS

THOMAS PATTERSON -  Thomas is both Antonia’s colleague and competitor. She respects him as a person, but very much wants him to fail.

LEVI WILLIAMS - As one of the people who knows the truth about Levi’s parentage and history, Antonia feels some pity for the boy, but also wants to protect him from people who might hurt him–especially his father.

ALICE REESE - Alice is one of the residents Antonia has formed a sort of friendship with. She even occasionally lets her guard down around the woman.

Antonia Wilds is a CLOSED character and is portrayed by Kerry Washington.

[actingdirectorwilds]

bianca--ortiz‌:

Once a year the government liked to pretend that Grimstone Point and Grimstone Park were like any other towns in the world, but that was the farthest thing from the truth. Bianca wondered if they did this for their amusement if this was like their version of The Hunger Games, granted there were no brutal murders during this week, but she was sure that the government did watch their every move. “Next” those words pulled her out of her thoughts and the raven-haired girl looked up. “Just one to bungee jump.” She said to the person in the ticketing booth. 

“Are you gonna jump to or are you here just making fun of the faces that those that jump make?” She asked the person next to her. 

Antonia was no adrenaline junkie. That, too her, was mostly child’s play. After all, the thrill of a roller coaster was false. You were safe while you were on it. And that was a good thing--she believed in regulations that kept people safe. However, she wasn’t a total stuffed shirt--she was a sucker for the high rides like the bungee. “I’m going to jump,” she told Miss Ortiz. “Or I was. Are you going to make fun of me for my faces?” She meant it as teasing, though bantering with residents had never been her forte.

[actingdirectorwilds]

the-one-and-the-same‌:

How did she get down here again? However it was, she is stood in front of the  Tilt-a-whirl arms on her hip “If we go on there my hair gonna get ruined, can’t you find another ride.” she said nodding towards a different ride, Valentina was not going to ruin her hair for anyone. 

Antonia shrugged, waving the woman away. “I’m here to operate the ride, not address your existential crisis,” she answered. The girl, Valentina she suspected based on the attitude, was not her favorite. “You can always brush your hair when you get off, though.”