Ashley Gray

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**Ashley Gray** is the main protagonist of ***Ascent: Trials of Vore***. She is a human from West Westfield, Earth, having been a freshman college student before the Tower.

She first appeared in *Floor 1 - The Gateway*, surviving the 1st Floor trial set by Porter, and finding a friend in Syl, and later Nuon, Ferra and Ogborth.

She is currently on her way to the 5th Floor.

## Profile

### Appearance

**Pre-Tower:** Glasses for eyesight, plus scrunchie to tie back hair. Both lost in inter-universal transit. On arrival, had emerald eyes & mid-length brown hair. Loose, grey hoodie draped over pale red-pink shirt & flat chest, plus over-sized black leggings. Wore battered blue deck shoes.

**In-Tower:** On 1st Floor, given pair of "blessed" yellow glasses by Porter & gained small belly pudge from absorbing Oishī. On 2nd, gained hand mirror shield, a past possession of Mirror, 2nd's Overseer. After 2nd trial, gained sizable boost to rear from Alice Little, each cheek almost as large as head, hips rivalling shoulder width, thighs pressed together. On 3rd Floor, gained mass boost to chest (flat to FF-cup) from mass absorbed from "Chocolate Girl", receiving size-shifting bra from "Double G". Also received pouch to carry ammo for flare gun & holster for gun itself.

### Personality

An every-woman, not special for a human. More than a bit internally snarky - overcoming fear of situation by analysis (when that doesn't make it worse) - & rather cautious, is also socially awkward in handling many situations, sometimes finding some things cute in more stereotypical way. Unclear if normal for her, or simply due to situation she's in.

## History

### Background

* Pre-Tower, lived in West Westfield, Earth. ***(Floor 1 - The Gateway)***
* Played "old" game with lab that used colored lines for navigation. ***(Floor 1 - The Gateway)***
* Growing up, dabbled in "kinky stuff". On 1st Floor fixation with vore, thought it was same "morbid curiosity". ***(Floor 1 - The Gateway)***
* At 13, sister hit her over head with frying pan, causing headache. ***(Floor 1 - The Gateway)***
* Near-perfect Bs in school. ***(Floor 1 - The Gateway)***
* Once got drunk. Would hate recalling it. ***(Floor 1 - The Gateway)***
* Went to prom. Details unknown, but reluctant to recall. ***(Floor 2 - Mirror/Mirror)***
* Once trapped in elevator. Rescued by emergency services. ***(Floor 4 - Out Of Time)***
* Preferred nights in room alone. ***(Floor 4 - Out Of Time)***
* In late teens - at night - shoved balloons up shirt to simulate having chest - wanting more than flatness. ***(Floor 3 - Greed and Glory)***
* Went to college. No plan to join sorority. Was short-lived, barely a week before Tower. On morning before taken, had major bed hair, but later smoothed out, though may have brushed it, as memory patchy. Lost glasses & scrunchie en-route. ***(Floor 1 - The Gateway)***

### ***Ascent: Trials of Vore***

#### 1st Floor

* Warped between realities, wakes on Tower's 1st Floor with headache. Briefly meets Tower gatekeeper, Porter, who reveals she's in another universe & gifts "blessed" glasses to replace pair lost. Makes Ashley promise not to mention meeting, to avoid attention.
* After panic attack, passage opens to stage room with others of varying race - Start Group 20200517-E‏‎. Greets Oishī & Kunai. Oishī provocatively threatens to "devour" Ashley. Kunai reigns her in, but scares Ashley off. Meets Syl, absent-minded elf of Halvalla. Physically can't speak to Syl of Porter.
* Sees Porter's reappearance & gets explanation of Tower & its rules that ends in Porter eating Marie, a failed climber. Transfixed but doesn't dwell on it.
* Porter's trial: group spread across maze & must get back to stage alive. Only 2 will survive to go to 2nd Floor. Warped into maze with Syl.
* Syl sees symbol for ‘banquet’ from her world on sign, pair tracking line from it into maze. Hides as mermaid eats noble, futuristic man & knight. Finds Syl using elf stealth to hide. Pair move on. Fears being 'into' what she's seen but doesn't dwell.
* Finds messy room. Meet masked figure - Dawn - flaunts Porter’s authority & invites in, leading them to back door. Gives warning: “When you get cat-called and don’t answer, be sure not to hesitate!”
* Reaches stage. Press on with fear, being first arrivals. Syl points out holographic board shows few left. Giantess falls through last open door, warning to run before pulled away & eaten.
* Makes plan, tearing strip from Syl's dress & saying to hide, making it seem she was eaten. Oishī & Kunai enter, buying the story. Oishī chooses Ashley as last meal, but Syl ambushes, Ashley trying to overpower Kunai.
* Oishī catches both in hypnosis, causing drunk daze. Ashley snaps out quickly & heeds Dawn's words, catching & eating Oishī, giving her huge gut. Finds Syl has done same to Kunai. Both admit eating person felt good. Warmth as absorb first prey. Resigns self to possibility of more meals. Wonders how old Tower is, Porter arriving to state current Tower system as 55,000+ years old. Congratulates pair on passing.
* Asks Porter for more on Tower, but only gets, on goal to reach top, that many failed. Also states most successful climber reached 1,003rd Floor 11,000 years prior.
* Uncertain as Porter opens way to 2nd Floor. Syl convinces to defeat Tower, escape & go home, spurring wary determination. Preps to leave, but Porter holds back, shooing Syl by flustering, calling her Ashley's "girlfriend". Asks how trial went. Blunt response that ate woman & is unsure of hating it. Porter actively misconstrues as good thing, revealing knowing all about Ashley & not telling why she's curious. Warns: “Be careful around that bitch in the suit.”
* Catches up to Syl & reaffirms goal, exiting floor. Nervous breakdown later, where Porter can't see. ***(Floor 1 - The Gateway)***

#### 2nd Floor

* Arrives on 2nd Floor via mirror in fields near Chessboard. Takes train to city. bunny conductor hustles them on.
* Meets latecomer - Michelle L'Instar - curvy blonde. Notes Porter’s warning as punk gets on her bad side & is gone. Speaks from book about city - says its just a city - & overseer – Queen Mirror – plus warning of White & Red Queens.
* Finds Syl hears French as High Fae, same for English & Fae. Learns Michelle knows floor’s trial – somewhere beyond city - but won't tell.
* At city station, awed by city. From board, learns in note from Mirror that predation's banned in city & trial's at castle on night of full moon. Considers staying in city, but wants home. Given ID cards, which manifest photos of them, plus names, ages, etc.
* Suggests prep, IDs giving credits to spend. At “blacksmith” - second-hand weapon store - buys shield due to no weapon skill. Odd hand mirror shield glows in glasses.
* Spends night at near-full inn. Shares room with irate blonde. Syl agrees to share bed. Assures homesick Syl they’ll scale entire Tower, even if takes eating all in way.
* 3 nights later, on full moon, goes to Chessboard Castle. Meets Mirror – both halves of her. Red dragon & white human. In throne room, others wait, such as Duchess & followers, inn blonde - Alice Little - & Michelle. Mirror sets trial: go to Morning Wood & catch Jabbercock – feared beast. Wood beyond city & not covered by ban.
* Warped to snowy edge of wood, red dragon Mirror in charge, deciding who'll enter first via strength test, assigning numbers based on who hits hardest. Syl allowed to shoot for both self & Ashley, but holds new rocket launcher wrong way & fires backward. Mirror gives 5. Reveals lowest numbers – weakest – enter first.
* Enters wood. Plans to track beast. Waylayed by goblins that get handsy. Discovers shield reflects back what it blocks, including goblins. Pair move on quickly.
* Deeper in, trees denser. Nervous of being stalked, surprised by fight between Michelle & Duchess’ crew. Sees Michelle stuff crew down Duchess' throat, roast & eat her. Flees, but alerts Michelle, who's interested in shield. Leaves after a bit. Blisters on hands from being helped up.
* Finds statue, woman frozen, coated in wax substance. Suspects Jabbercock, asking wary Syl to track it. Trace to deeper wood, trees thicker & paths thin, sliding between trunks to pass. Track ends in clearing, going up into trees. Can't climb well & Syl not going alone, so trail's cold. Suggests Syl set trap. Hide again before can test.
* Sees Alice meet Michelle, call her demon & claim Jabbercock's hers’, before antlered woman runs in with beast behind, sucking her up its girth. Stops hiding to avoid spray as beast goes after all. Cornered, but beast steps on trap, causing dust plume. Flees with Syl & Michelle as Alice distracts & is knocked away by creature.
* Tells Syl they weren’t ready but convinced by Michelle to go back. Swallows fear & comes up with plan to catch beast, Syl asking to borrow Michelle’s twine.
* Comes back. Alice fighting beast again. Tries to draw monster's gaze, but Alice refuses to play along. Finally successful, shield-reflecting load back when opens on her. Not-wax hardens on beast, binding it, Syl using nets of twine to trap it.
* Elated, Michelle applauds, but cut off by Alice angry for taking prize, downing potion that makes her giantess, lifting beast away. Told by Michelle – with herb to whet appetite – what she must do. No excuse of self-defense, but is only way. Grabs Alice while distracted. Ignores begs, pulling Alice in. Savors but makes quick work. Never felt so full, gut big enough to rest on.
* Absorbs Alice, gut shrinking. Sees flashes of her life. Helped up by blushing Syl as tries not to climax. Gut same size as after Oishī, Syl pointing out Alice has gone to butt. From flat to inflated rear, leggings struggling to contain. Dissuaded from mortified state by victory hug, though instinctively mentions Syl's delicious smell. Syl shrugs it off, noting Michelle's quiet departure.
* Mirror, halves switched forms, congratulates. Perversely groped by red, human Mirror. Given 10,000 credits & ‘Royal Key’ for access to 3rd Floor. Absorbed by ID, becoming symbol in corner. Shield noted by Mirror, as its hers, amused it was at "blacksmith". Allowed to keep as reward. Trial over, invited to victory banquet. ***(Floor 2 - Mirror/Mirror)***

#### 3rd Floor

* Overeats & sleeps in Chessboard Castle's luxury rooms. Next day, uses ID on cramped elevator at castle top to 3rd Floor. Discomfort, such as rub from gains & Syl's claustrophobia - caused by childhood trauma.
* On exit, walks into fight, shadow man facing green, gem woman with mismatched curves - Peridot - defending witch - Nuon - healing musketeer - Crow. Shadow dispatched by floor Overseer – Mordium.
* Greeted by Mordium & ushered to next room - shop of some kind, items sold in strong, glass cases. Meets other climbers, including Growa & pirate crew, plus Ogborth & Ferra.
* Mordium's trial: fight as team against foes, instead of against each other. Some foes hungry predators. Each of 5 rounds is 3 waves & boss, plus final boss. Those left go to 4th Floor, due to Mordium's deal with next overseer. Not allowed to eat foes. Coins earned used for shop equipment.
* Greeted by ”Double G”, shop’s keeper, plus Morcels, race of small black balls serving as floor infrastructure & foes who'll drag climbers out of arena. Given option by Mordium to give up climb & live on 3rd Floor. Considers, but agrees with Syl not to take it.
* Ushered to arena for 1st round: Morcels in armor & robots. Disgust at being filmed. Enough shield practise to match foes. Round bosses, 3 vehicles - Monstanks. Teams with Syl, Peridot & Ogborth. Beats all. Pirates take big coin share. Combines coins with Syl & Peridot.
* In break, sees Peridot show off gem storage, Syl buy jumping rockets - shiny in glasses - & pirates fail to steal cannon. Learns from Double G, worried at Syl’s love of explosions, that shop has “practise” simulation, for all buying as safety measure.
* 2nd round: battle with super curvy nude giantesses. 2 mega giantess bosses: Lokee - tall with crazy figure - & Little Hon, taller, controls portals & spits paralytic mist. Hunted by Hon with rest of group, some pirates falling to both. Extreme force - using weapon as bludgeon against Hon - takes foes down.
* In next break, sees pirates take more coins & try to steal cannon, G shutting them down with last warning. Pools coins with group but not much. Settles on pain absorber gauntlets for Ferra. Pirate tries to shake down for coins, but countered by Ogborth, showing Ashley his good side. Amused by Ferra noting pleasant ogre from her world, asking on hunch if he has donkey.
* Sees Syl's greed cause memory loss. Told by G of curse Mordium put on store as trial for greedy sorts. Relieved Syl only lightly affected due to childhood petty theft of crackers - more surprised Halvalla drow make crackers & of G's not knowing drow exist, keeping quiet on latter.
* 3rd round: Morcels in robots & vehicles. Plays defense. Quick work of foes. Annoyed at Growa cutting Mordium off, double boss - Morcel-scale train (Lorry Mk1.5) & giant “worm" (Driller Mk1) faced blind. Struck by stone chunk from Driller, breaking back & blacking out in pain as Nuon aids. Almost taken out by Driller, but saved by Ferra & Nuon.
* Wakes 3 hours later in hospital room, uncaptured. Given “Mario mushroom” soup that helps heal back. Told by Mordium would be bedridden for life if not for Nuon & Driller pilot felt guilty & forfeited. Pilot gifts flare gun seen in shop - equipped with regular & "purple" sleeping rounds - as apology with ammo pouch & holster.
* Reminded of offer, citing near infinite height of Tower. Mordium unaware of truth, but doesn't think reward at top's worth it. Agrees, not clouded by greed, but still turns down, tearfully affirming determination to go home, which Mordium respects this, showing softer side.
* Back in arena for 4th round, pirates now with cannon. Now has waterlogged floor. More curvy giantesses. Sleep rounds & timing luck, takes out most foes, bringing round boss, Big Hon - Little Hon’s older sister - angry at sister's defeat.
* Sees pirates frozen by curse G put on cannon as payback for trying to steal. Sees many fall through Hon’s holes & into gut, but rescues Growa. Reflects Hon's mist balls back with shield, giant eating one with pirates, giving stomach trouble. Group wears Hon down. Finally chokes her so Ogborth can half-blind with cannonball to eye. Under pressure, Hon withdraws.
* Affirms being team, Growa surprised protected despite trouble crew caused. Fails to dissuade Growa from taking offer, forced away at gunpoint. Wished good luck from Growa as leaves.
* Blames self for Growa quitting, on verge of punching someone. Gotten through to by G - with Syl & Peridot's aid - convincing was Growa’s choice. Assured Growa looked after by Mordium. Takes blame off self. Told by G that few overseers likely to give safe harbour & to cherish calm.
* 5th round: last Morcel machines. Carves path through foes, tiring out.
* Round bosses: 4 copters - Apache Primes. Deflects paint balls of War Rager, one copter, with shield. Refuge in Monstank shell. Chased out by flies of Famine Caller, another copter. Trips, giving Caller open run but dodging, causing crash. Pilot not out, using flute to summon Baby Min. Knocks out with gas shot.
* Tries to hide again, but flees as Nuon brings a copter - Pestilence Gasser - down in same place, lighting green "oil" leaking from tank pipes. Given surprise hug as witch apologizes. Shock as downed War Rager runs over Ferra, but relieved as she destroys it.
* Horrified as Death Harbinger - last foe - corners Peridot, fear stopping her from helping. Sees Peridot disarm & forfeit. Reluctant to intervene in case makes worse. Sees Ogborth step in & down Harbinger with cannon. Sees attack go wide, slamming ship & seemingly crushing Peridot.
* Breaks down, Syl comforts. Sees Ogborth's guilt. Led back to shop. Takes reprieve, waiting 2+ hours before comfortable. Talks to Ogborth, who despite being uncaring of death, feels guilt for Peridot. Hears admission of never consuming, killing final foe on 1st Floor, & that group's made him more aware of death, Peridot’s feeling like blood brother's. Ogborth forgiven.
* Last return to arena. Swears to make it for Peridot. Faces Snowcone, giant robot snowman. Backs off in fear. Interrupted as slimy chocolate ‘woman’ enters from portal, punching Snowcone. Knocked into shop door with Nuon as monster breaks through attack. Sees Crow eaten by monster & Mordium, G & Snowcone reduce it to chunks of icy chocolate.
* Apology by Mordium, declaring their victory. Sees Crow's fallen, body found but turned into chocolate statue. Advised by Mordium to nap, as is 1am & trial's been on for ~40 hours, exhaustion setting in. Allowed into luxury hotel to sleep in by G.
* On waking, laments form & what will look like at climb end. Called to arena with others to find chocolate girl in giant glass ball, Mordium allowing eating as much chocolate as possible, for revenge. Given mask & offered reward for one with biggest belly. Notes being hungry.
* Finds chocolate pleasurably tasty, gut inflating. Comes 2nd, but has 30ft belly after 2 hours. Post-digestion, chest goes from flat to FF. Stunned having real chest. Given magic stretching bra by G that lowers strain. Flustered at Syl stripping, not knowing how to use bra with own gains.
* Sees Mordium reward Ferra with summon flute for Baby Min, learning she's vegetarian outside of prey. Lead by Mordium to ID locked elevator - larger than last - gives access to 4th Floor.
* On elevator, agrees group won't let Tower divide them. Asks Nuon about magic, as were same size before but Nuon now larger, explained as family trait, getting bigger with more spells. Reaffirms reaching Tower top, for Peridot. ***(Floor 3 - Greed and Glory)***

#### 4th Floor

* Trip to 4th Floor uneventful except anxious Syl almost firing rocket. Clinged to for comfort.
* Arrives in noir jazz club - full of climbers despite Mordium's claims of limited numbers passing 3rd Floor - clothes, including special glasses, switched for some more suitable, form changed to more human size & equipment gone. Group splits to meet others, trying to find Overseer.
* With Syl, meets climber - Dixon - at bar, who draws focus to time dilation on floor. Ideal strategy of finding oldest climber to find Overseer, but dilation makes impossible, as arrived on floor before Dixon despite feeling as if just arrived.
* Regroups with others. Proposes goading a climber to do something against club rules to draw Overseer out. Sees Nuon wind up mule woman, who's shot repeatedly by Overseer - Esther Fuega - who chooses moment to reveal self.
* Fuega's trial: carry parcel in free-for-all from club to docks - avoiding hungry police on way - take boat to 2nd city across bay & go to Myriam's Bash & Brass Joint for delivery. First 9 pass to 5th Floor, Fuega warning she'll eat rest. Sees Fuega & club's wall vanish, accessing outside.
* Sees climber dash into street with parcel in view & get eaten by officer. Has group swallow parcels, storing safely within - non-living things take longer to digest.
* Makes way into city, among half-alive citizens. Calls cab, driver taking group to docks. Sees Fuega watching in window reflection. Panics as realizes nothing to pay. Coughs up parcel as cab arrives. Swallows driver. Gets complaints, but group put her in charge, so asserts authority in manner unlike self. As leaves cab, grabs driver's gun, hiding it in clothes.
* Group's first to docks. Tries to ask Fuega - who's there - about seeing her, but instead told not to think too much about Tower mechanics, plus details of Fuega's life. In growing dark persona, shoots down Ferra's idea of making alliances beyond group.
* Turns down Fuega's offer to first 25 - chance to leave Tower in return for life of crime under divine superiors - group staying too. Hears Fuega rattle off alleged hints about future floors when asked for advice.
* On boat to 2nd city, meets Dixon again, now with sack with parcels - untrue rumor of bonus for having more. Sees Syl dodge knife-wielding climber try to take parcel when regurgitated, Ogborth tossing to sea as prey for iguana woman. Again shoots down Ferra's wish to make alliances after caught trying to.
* Enters 2nd city with group. Can't find cab, settles for asking about Myriam's, delegating to who now sees as aides. Directions from clown. Goes round back, Nuon ahead & jumped by Dixon, putting gun to head. Retaliates with own gun. Dixon demands they hand over parcels, but stalls enough with debate about how all acting for Ogborth to tackle off Nuon, injuring enough to cause mouth froth. Throws gun away.
* Traumatized, all cough up parcels, Fuega arriving to applaud. Told three-day ordeal - hours, to them - ends when step through backdoor of Myriam's, which will transport to 5th Floor & return equipment, gains & personalities. Apologizes for actions & gets underway, stepping in, though Fuega tells to tell "alarm clock-looking bitch" choice words for copying shtick, if meet her. ***(Floor 4 - Out Of Time)***

## Abilities

* **Weak Eyesight:** On arrival in Tower, eyesight was weak, requiring glasses to fix blurriness.
* **Mental Block - Porter:** Due to deal made with Porter, Ashley unable to talk about their talk on 1st Floor & that Porter gave Ashley new glasses. Enforced by form of magic, Ashley unable to talk about it in front of others.
* **Large Gut Capacity:** As of 3rd Floor, Ashley able to consume enough chocolate in 2 hours to stretch belly to 30 feet wide, beyond normal human biology. Was also able to eat prey bigger than her on prior floors. Unclear if capacity result of Tower - as others have shown similar ability - or preexisting.

### Equipment

**Note:** Not including ID card, nor floor rewards such as 2nd's Royal Key.

* **Porter's Glasses:** Pair of magic glasses gifted by Porter to replace lost pair, though Ashley's unable to discuss their origin. Allegedy "blessed"/magic, though Porter didn't elaborate. At least one ability, "highlighting" objects - seemingly those belonging to overseers - has been shown.
* **Mirror's Shield:** Magic shield designed as fancy hand mirror, purchased from "blacksmith" in Chessboard. Held moonlit sparkle via Porter's Glasses. Can reflect entities launched at it, including momentum of attacks & large amounts of "liquid" - stored & fired back at origin. Owned by Mirror - 2nd Floor's Overseer - before lost it. Let Ashley keep as reward for trial.
* **Flare Gun:** Magic flare gun, gifted to Ashley by Morcel on 3rd Floor as apology for injuring her, after previously saw it in shop there. Capable of carrying different rounds, including standard flares & glass flares of purple sleeping gas liquid.
* **Ammo Pouch & Holster:** Ammo pouch & holster belt, given to Ashley on 3rd Floor, Accessories to flare gun.

### Detailed Record

* Oishī - 1F [Oral - Gained belly pudge.] ***(Floor 1 - The Gateway)***
* Alice Little - 2F [Oral - Gained heavy rear mass.] ***(Floor 2 - Mirror/Mirror)***
* "Taxi Driver" - 4F [Oral - No apparent gains.] ***(Floor 4 - Out Of Time)***

## Relationships

### Family

Ashley's relationship with her family is unclear, but it is worth noting that one of her concerns on being told she was in another universe was that she was away from them, and she's expressed repeatedly her desire to get home.

* ***Unnamed Sister:*** Relationship with sister unclear, though said sister once hit 13 year old Ashley over head with frying pan.
* ***Unnamed Grandparents:*** Relationship with grandparents unclear, as only thought of briefly - seeing cars on 4th Floor as older than them & as slow as.

### Friends

* **Syl:** Likes Syl, thinking her friendly & happy, if odd. Hit it off fairly well on 1st Floor, finding Syl insightful, good with memory & skilled in certain areas, despite being scatterbrained, easily distracted & self-admittedly book-dumb. Haven't known each other long, but cares for Syl enough to be worried for her for various reasons across various floors, and hold her when her claustrophobia was triggered. Also trusted her enough to carry out traps & ambushes, lead with her tracking skills & have sat on lap in taxi on 4th Floor. Only negativity between two Ashley's unspoken jealousy of Syl's greater elf hearing - though only slight - Syl's insensitivity toward drow & concern for Syl's excessive use of rockets on 3rd Floor. Mostly stuck together under mental effect of 4th Floor, reconciling at end.
* **Nuon:** Get on well as friends. After injury in 3rd Floor trial, Nuon's healing large part of why she wasn't paralysed for life, something she's grateful for & Nuon has reciprocated, having investment in her wellbeing to point of apologizing on almost causing further harm. Originally confused & flustered by Nuon's growth spurts, but was cleared up with Nuon's explanation of her magic. Has resolved that she & Nuon stick together, not allowing any trial to pit them against each other. Mostly stuck together under mental effect of 4th Floor, though Nuon more aware of it than others. Reconciled at end.
* **Ferra:** A bit grossed by Ferra's tongue at first, but get on well as friends, having moment over details of Ferra's world that were familiar. Only still climbing due to Ferra, frog girl punching vehicle that was trying to remove her injured body on 3rd Floor, stopping it. Alarmed when Ferra run over by War Rager, thinking injury serious. Has resolved that she & Ferra stick together, not allowing any trial to pit them against each other. Was tested by mental effect on 4th Floor, Ferra going out of way to subvert Ashley, but overcame it. Reconciled at end.
* **Ogborth:** Get on well as friends, though relationship strained at first. Ogborth's softer side, combined with remorse for causing Peridot's "death" on 3rd Floor - Ashley forgiving him - caused true friendship, Ogboth declaring Ashley his unofficial "blood brother". Has resolved that she & Ogborth stick together, not allowing any trial to pit them against each other. Mostly stuck together under mental effect of 4th Floor, reconciling at end.
* **Peridot:** Got on well as friends, despite limited time before abrupt end. Worked well together on 3rd Floor, having each other's back despite Peridot's muteness making things difficult & confusion at Peridot's ability to store things in her gem. Saw Peridot's "death", unable to act in time to stop her being seemingly crushed. Unaware Peridot's alive, thinking her deceased & determined to reach Tower's top in her memory.

### Enemies

* **Oishī & Kunai:** First true foes. Most successful preds on 1st Floor, entered knowing what they were going into & made no secret of it. Initial fear & later dislike of both can't be overstated, going out of way to absorb all in their path, taking pleasure in trying to subjugate Ashley & Syl, especially after a failed ambush. Pair were dealt with by same duo they tried to end sweep with, threat they posed eliminated. Disdain for both remains.
* **Alice Little:** 2nd Floor trial's "enemy". Little hatred past annoyance, most disdain & condescension on Alice's end, seeing all trying to beat trial or assist her as a foe, snapping & becoming giantess to play keep away with Jabbercock when Ashley - a "peasant" - stole her "rightful" place as "hero". All views of Alice, painting her as lawful stupid, boil down to choice to eat her & secure victory, ending one-sided rivalry & ignoring or missing Alice's pleas.
* **Dixon:** 4th Floor trial's "enemy". Friendly at first, but became malevolent as overtaken by floor effect, showing dark colors by killing/eating so many for parcels. No good opinion after tried to kill Nuon. Dealt with by Ogborth, so put behind, now.

### Others

* **Porter:** Quickly decided she hates Porter. Alleged kidnapping aside, is a nuisance who enjoys watching her squirm, not caring for her well-being beyond token gestures. Seems to be curious about Ashley in a way Ashley isn't fond of, visiting Ashley in secret at start of 1st Floor & giving her new glasses to replace lost pair. Told Ashley this isn't to be mistaken for caring. Ashley's has admitted hating Porter, but she doesn't care, so viewing her as an enemy is moot.
* **"Dawn":** Familiar to Ashley in odd playfulness beneath serene exterior. Grateful for Dawn's seemingly genuine aid on 1st Floor, but didn't get much time to form opinion her. Otherwise wary of her.
* **Michelle L'Instar:** Sees Michelle as scary, confusing person. Unsure if maybe demon woman wants to help & sees her as fun to tease or thinks she'd be tasty & plans to eat her. Could be both. Despite finesse & polite friendliness, has edge that Ashley fears.
* **Queen Mirror:** View of Mirror - like the woman - split. Sees both halves of overseer as incredibly confusing, but has more positive view of one. Red Mirror tried to burn her & Syl alive & was inappropriate in intimate handling of Ashley's gains, but white Mirror was friendly & helpful, albeit in equally odd way.
* **Mordium:** View of Mordium - unlike prior overseers - positive overall. Wary of his power but aware of his moral outlook on role as 3rd Floor Overseer. Willingness to allow climbers to remain on his floor as safe harbor, his healing her after her back injury & sincere understanding regarding her options & his duties have left an impression of him as good person.
* **Growa:** Frustrated & irritated by greed, impatience & selfishness of Growa & crew, but willing to protect pirate captain when she was paralysed. Guilt over Growa's forfeit to remain on 3rd Floor, due to decision stemming from Growa's realization that her uncontrolled greed almost got Ashley killed, when they were meant to be teammates.
* **Esther Fuega:** On decent enough terms to call 'Ess' by 3rd Floor trial's end, even if ironically. Still perplexed & unnerved by her seeming to be watching constantly. Did not appreciate being traumatized by end of her trial.