ALISON TORRES ( MELISSA BARRERA ) is a THIRTY FIVE year-old PURCHASING AGENT AND FINANCIAL ADVISOR in NEW YORK CITY. They were brought under Richard’s care when they were only FIFTEEN years old. They are known as THE GUARDIAN because they are GENUINE but also HEADSTRONG.
BASIC INFORMATION
Full Name: Alison Torres
Nickname(s): …… Alison. Don’t call her anything else.
Date of Birth: December 31st 1969
Age: 35
Gender & Pronouns: cis woman and she/her
Occupation: Purchasing Agent and Financial Advisor for some big fancy firm that is remaining unnamed because I haven't decided what it's called yet
Current Residence: Penthouse apartment in the Upper East Side, New York City
Pinterest <3
PHYSICAL APPEARANCE
Hair: Very dark brown, basically black except in some lights. On the longer side but always well looked after and styled perfectly. Mostly worn down unless she's exercising or stressed out.
Eyes: Deep dark brown baby
Height: 5’6
Notable Features: Resting bitch face, abs, strong brows, and those gorgeous dark eyes
PERSONALITY & BEHAVIOR:
Strengths: Genuine, Honest, Organised, Ambitious, Intelligent, Loyal, Confident
Weaknesses: Headstrong, Closed-off, Judgemental, Cold, Competitive
Quirks: Perfect posture (most of the time), tapping her nails against things
Vices: Definitely drinks and smokes regularly. But sodas?? Candy??? Fried food??? Get fucked she’s not touching that shit!!! Her body is a temple!!! - Also has an absolute potty mouth <3
INTEREST & HOBBIES:
Interests: Wellness, fashion, money <3, crime drama shows, language studies
Hobbies: Tennis and fitness in general, various different puzzles, chess, reading
Special Skills/Talents: Analysis especially financial, languages, puzzle solving
BECOMING A WARD
Alison first met Richard at a small academic gala that she and her high school debate team were invited to as a result of winning the national championships. She showed incredible academic promise being the only freshman on the team, and she absolutely used that to her advantage at this gala. By the age of fifteen Alison was very aware that the only way she’d get anywhere in this world was if she worked and schmoozed for it. Every academic scholar in that room was Alison’s target, including Richard Woodrow. What surprised her was when Professor Woodrow actually took some kind of interest in who she was. She fell into a conversation that was far harder than any of the schmoozing and connection forming she had been attempting with everyone else, but it was far, far more genuine. She revealed the circumstances that had led to her parents no longer being in her life (circumstances i am purposefully leaving out of this intro because i think that most of the wards wouldn’t know teehee), legally fostered by a family friend though never feeling as though she had an actual place there. How dedicated and legitimately talented she was with her academics with the goal of creating a life for herself that she had to carve out. That she didn’t imagine herself with limits despite her life, because how would she get anywhere if she did. When Richard’s offer came some weeks later Alison was, of course, deeply skeptical. As far as her experience went, things like this weren’t handed out without a string attached. She did her research on Professor Woodrow– going so far as to write a letter to the university where he taught to ask for a letter of recommendation. However the thing that finally convinced her to take the offer of becoming his ward was when she met the staff of his estate. The people that worked for him. To be honest, people she saw more like her than like Woodrow. Their opinions of Richard Woodrow were the only ones that mattered in the end.
LIFE AS A WARD
Alison became a ward when she was 15 and had spent a majority of her life alone– so to change at that age was strange. Coming to Woodrow House was like attending a weird new school and with that mindset she was always dedicated to her studies, a sort of line in the sand with the intention of protecting herself from emotional vulnerability. This was an opportunity and if she didn't make the most of it she'd failed in someway. However something she came to understand was that a part of this opportunity, a part of being the first ward, was also in her relationship with the others.
DYNAMIC WITH THE OTHER WARDS
Alison is not, and has never been, a traditional caregiver. She's not a mother, she's not nurturing, she's not soft. But her role as the first ward is hugely important to her, both in setting some kind of example and in looking out for all the others. She cares deeply, and she tries with all her heart to make sure the others are okay– if they can’t be happy, they have to be okay. When they were all younger, most living at the house, Alison made sure she knew a little of everyone’s schedules, of everyone’s interests, of everyone’s habits. All so she could notice when things were off, and she could plan an approach if she believed one was needed. She kept track of important events for them all, always having a diary full of birthdays, significant dates, big assignments. Something all the wards might remember is that she always made sure to note the day they came to the house. In various sorts of ways, but generally all very small as the time was likely traumatic for many of the other wards. A small gift, their favourite breakfast, making sure they get a moment in the day to just be alone if that’s what they needed. A lot of these things have followed her into adulthood. She checks on all of them regularly (regularity depending on each ward and how much Alison believes they need checking in on), sometimes perhaps it seems like she’s bossy and judgemental and inserting herself into their business– and hey, she sometimes is! But it’s because she wants what’s best for all of them. I believe all of the wards know that if they need something, if they need help, Alison would help them. There’s absolutely no promise she wouldn’t judge them, but she wouldn’t hesitate to help.
AESTHETIC
Alison dresses somewhere in the line of fashionable, sexy, rich bitch with a corporate job. Which is exactly what she is. Borderlines being conservative by being sexy as hell. Plenty of I could be going to the office, or I could be going to the club– you’ll never know! The only difference is a blazer! I looked largely at Ralph Lauren and Prada late 80s and 90s runways for inspiration. Almost entirely neutral tones, I know it’s the early 2000s but you will rarely find her in a colour. Simple and tasteful jewelry, two items she’s always wearing are: a golden crucifix necklace that she’d had since childhood, and a Tank Louis Cartier watch with a black leather band that was gifted to her by Richard when she completed her masters. I can’t describe any more so here’s a pinterest section <3
EDUCATION
Alison attended private schooling when she became a ward but received further tutoring at the home as well. For her, the entire purpose of becoming a ward was to further her education and she took that very seriously. She intended on making the most of the opportunity, and reaching for every branch that was held out to her. Including going on to university following her secondary education. She went to Richard’s alma mater, Kingsbury College, majoring in business and finance. Continued on to do her masters in finance also.
EXTRACURRICULARS
Alison played tennis from early on in her ward-ship. Perhaps subconsciously being drawn towards a sport that required someone else to play against as she began to abandon her childhood solace. As mentioned previously, she also studied plenty and enjoyed it enough for me to call it an extracurricular. Enjoying her extra tuition in languages especially. Her mother tongue is Spanish and she learned English as a very young child but since becoming a ward she also became fluent in Russian. An ambition that came to light after one person said it would be hard. She also has bits and pieces of French, Italian, and Latin. The final thing I’ll say here is that Alison loves a puzzle. She enjoys both the solitary kind like sudoku or crosswords, but also loves some chess– so long as she wins teehee.
THEIR LIFE NOW
When Alison graduated high school it had only been three years since she became a ward. Maybe it was a feeling of needing to stay close to the house for the other wards, maybe it was something selfish of not wanting to leave behind the first easy, comforting thing she really knew. Maybe it was both. But regardless, as a result she didn’t go far. As mentioned she attended Richard’s alma mater after finishing high school, close enough that her presence in the home could still be felt. Returning to the house every weekend or every other weekend. Her first "serious" job was with the Woodrow Foundation. Getting her start there and doing good work as she continued to work on her degree. At least for a few years before she left a little abruptly. Moved on to bigger and better things. Certainly she continues to support the Foundation entirely, promotes it by simply having lived her life, but it’s very important to her that she doesn’t lean on it. Richard Woodrow helped her so she could achieve great things on her own, not so she could work for him – at least that's what she says. But she continued to work hard, regardless of where or who she was working for and that certainly shows in the life she continues to lead. Alison lives in New York City but ever since she moved out she has regularly visited the Woodrow House. Less so as all the wards moved out but still every now and then to check on whoever remained, including the staff and Richard himself. Considering how solitary of a life she lives outside of the Woodrow House, her home is ridiculously large by comparison. A four bedroom penthouse in the Upper East Side. All of the rooms are maintained no matter what, just in case any of the wards need a place to crash. If she's away for whatever reason she'll make sure a housekeeper comes through to keep them up and the lobby of her building has instructions to allow any other ward up at any time, but to always notify her. But if there's no wards, and presumably most of the time there's not, it's just her and her 12 year old chihuahua named Benito in the big, soulless apartment.
