Michelle L'Instar

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Michelle L'Instar is a minor character in Ascent: Trials of Vore. She is a woman of unknown but possibly demonic origin who's history prior to her meeting Ashley Gray and Syl on the 2nd Floor of the Tower is largely a mystery unclear outside of her association with "Cuckoo Clock".

She first appeared in Floor 2 - Mirror/Mirror, in which she was a neutrally hostile but ultimately allied presence during the 2nd Floor's trial.

She last appeared on the 2nd Floor.

Appearance
At the time of her first encounter with Ashley Gray, Michelle had burning eyes - orange on black - and blonde hair, as well as fangs similar to a viper's and a long, forked tongue. She was tall and slim, and seemed to have a presence refined enough to be "sharp" - making it difficult to look at her - and also capable of physically raising the temperature in enclosed spaces, likely caused by her skin being painfully hot to the touch.

For clothing, she wore a fancy suit and jacket, adorned with three gold stars on the collar, as well as culinary utensils - specifically a knife and fork - in the breast pocket. With her "Hell's Kitchen" active, her clothing would transform into a black chef's outfit, complete with a hat.

Personality
Michelle is refined as an individual, coming across as more a gourmet than a glutton - as some others do - being more interested in the quality of her meals, rather than how many meals she has, seeming disgusted with meals she wasn't planning to have. How refined and polite she is seems to be to the degree of sharpness, making her come across - rather accurately, as incredibly dangerous (i.e apologizing for bumping into someone, but then consuming them for being rude). Though this partially stems from the confidence she has in her own abilities, it is also partially just the nature of who she is.

Notably, despite her sharp-edged pleasantness, the contrast between the grace of her attitude and the horror of both her actions and stated intentions - and the mild sense of sadism that seems to come with them, be it intentional or otherwise - has frequently made those around her uncomfortable, shivery, nervous, or just outright scared, to the point of some considering leaping out of windows - even while in a moving vehicle - to put distance between them and Michelle.

Background
Michelle's actions prior to her first encounter with Ashley Gray and Syl are largely unknown, but she at some point presumably fell into an alliance with "Cuckoo Clock", to whatever end.

At another prior point, Michelle would seemingly become known to Alice Little, the two mostly likely having had a previous encounter due to Alice recognizing Michelle as a "demon". (Floor 2 - Mirror/Mirror)

2nd Floor
Michelle would first appear to Ashley Gray and Syl on the 2nd Floor, on the train into Chessboard. Upon arrival as the last boarder to the train, Michelle would almost be tripped by a a pink-haired punk, who would take offense to Michelle's attempt at an "apology", before they would get on her wrong side and disappear without much fanfare beyond a sudden whip crack, Michelle having done away with them with what would later be revealed to be her "Hell's Kitchen", finding their taste disgusting. She would then join Ashley and Syl at their table, introducing herself as the train began moving. The pair would would find her hands hot to the touch when shaking hands, though Michelle would not at Syl's comment on it that - to her - they were cold, before unnerving the elf by insinuating that she might find a way to warm her up.

Michelle would observe - from Syl's fear caused by mistaking the train for a dragon - that she and Ashley were newcomers. In a mix of what Ashley would perceive as French and English, she read about the 2nd Floor from a strange book, speaking of the city of Chessboard - clarifying that it really was a city when Ashley asked what its gimmick was - of the various gates along the circular train-line that lead up from the 1st Floor, and of the floor’s overseer – Queen Mirror – as well as a warning about the “White Queen” and “Red Queen”, it being unclear whether this was new information for Michelle or whether she was reading it for the benefit of her company. By this time, also via her book, Michelle already knew the details of the floor’s trial – placed somewhere outside of the city. She refused to give anything away, though, and would be cryptic when asked how she knew.

Half an hour later, the train would pull into Chessboard’s station and all disembarked, Michelle parting company with Ashley and Syl as they marveled at the tall, sugary buildings of the city. She would not encounter Ashley and Syl again for some time.

Michelle's next known appearance would be four nights later, on the evening of the full moon, having traveled to Chessboard Castle for the 2nd Floor's trial. She would already be in the throne room of the castle at the time of Ashley and Syl's last minute arrival, alongside a large pig-woman known as the Duchess and her followers, a tanuki, a little catgirl and Alice Little. Mirror and Mirror greeted the group, welcoming them to the trial and setting their task: To brave the Morning Wood and catch the Jabbercock – one of the kingdom’s most feared beasts – alive. Though this name would garner reactions from some present, Michelle was not one of them. Regardless, the first to capture the creature would be allowed passage to the next floor. There was no penalty for failure, but it wouldn't be without risk, as the forest sat beyond the city walls and wasn't covered by the predation ban - as Mirror would confirm when Michelle specifically asked after that fact - though Mirror seemed hopeful - with questionable sincerity - that everyone would play fair.

Mirror would transport the group to the snowy outskirts of Morning Wood, the red dragon Mirror left in charge. The dragon Mirror opted to decide who would enter the forest first by testing everyone’s strength through attacking her, and assigning them numbers based on response. When it came to Michelle's turn, she would ask Mirror a leading question about the order of entry, and whether she should use her strongest attack. The dragon would evade the first question, but also bar Michelle from testing her strength with her kitchen knife, placing her as the last to enter due to her specific circumstance - as unclear as they were - much to Michelle's bemusement. Once all had numbers, Mirror revealed that the lowest numbers – the weakest – were to enter the trial first. Presumably, with this in place, Michelle still entered last, some time after Ashley, Syl, the Duchess, Alice and everyone else.

Michelle would next be seen deeper into Morning Wood, where the trees were more densely packed, having encountered the Duchess and her gang. The battle between them would find its way to Ashley and Syl, forcing the duo to hide in a bush to keep out of the way as the two arrived in their clearing.

Despite visceral threats of consumption from the pig-woman, Michelle would remain composed, even managing several impatient jabs of her own that would serve to enrage the cohort into a full-frontal attack, at which point Michelle blurred into motion, dodging all attacks launched at her and – one by one – binding each attacker with strong, golden threads. Butchers’ twine, as she would call it, which she would quickly use to also cut the Duchess’ cleaver in two. The Duchess would attempt to flee – outmatched – but was rapidly entwined, as her mooks were. Michelle encroached on her, not letting her escape. She would then unleash a burning aura from her body, suffusing all with a red glow and unnatural heat. Michelle’s suit would turn into a chef’s outfit with a burst of flame, and the cook welcomed her soon-to-be prey to her Hell’s Kitchen. She lifted the trapped pig-woman from the floor, and with a few flicks of her kitchen knife, the Duchess' clothes would be torn to shreds.

One by one, the pig-woman’s minions would be lifted and stuffed down their leader’s throat. And her rear, once Michelle decided she wasn't working fast enough. The group would dwindle as they vanished inside, absorbed one after the other. Soon, the Duchess would be alone, entire crew subsumed within. Exhausted, she would beg Michelle for her life, but the chef would quiet her, summoning golden spit rods to pierce her orifices, a fire to turn her over, and a floating orb of brown liquid to baste her in. For several minutes, she would cook the still live porcine – smell both delicious and horrifying – but eventually brought things to an end. The rods would be replaced by a gold platter beneath the cooked woman’s form, surrounding her with vegetables and forcing an apple into her mouth. Further knife flicks would relieve her of her limbs, popping off without a drop of blood spilled – only darkness visible at the cuts. And then the Duchess would be no more, as Michelle feasted on her with loud, hungry slurps, before dismissing her ability - clothes returning to normal.

As Michelle departed, Ashley and Syl would attempt to flee, only to run straight into her. Despite their fear at what she might do to them, Michelle would be more interested in Ashley’s shield, finding that it smelt like cinnamon - among other things - to her surprise. After some terrifying banter – and teasing a terrified Syl - she would depart again with a skip in her step, the only reminder of her presence some blisters on one of Ashley's hands from Michelle helping her to her feet.

Michelle's next appearance after this would be when Alice Little crashed into a clearing where Ashley and Syl were again hiding. She would call out, as if being watched, and Michelle would emerge from the shadows. Despite Michelle's seemingly pleasant demeanor and claims they shared the same goal, Alice would call her a demon and claim self-righteously that the Jabbercock was hers’ alone.

Then, preceded by their alerting both Michelle and Alice, a woman with antlers ran into the clearing. She would promptly be knocked to the ground and trapped by hardening white stuff, as the house-sized Jabbercock - member and all - ran out of the trees behind her. The Jabbercock sucked its victim up with its length, doing away with her. The creature would quickly go after whoever else it could see, coating half the clearing in white. While Ashley and Syl were forced to abandon their hiding spot to avoid being sprayed, Michelle - as well as Alice - were able to dodge. Michelle would seem to take a back seat - beyond making some disturbing comments about all the "ingredients" being together - as the beast stepped on a trap laid by Syl, which exploded into a plume of smoke and dust, giving Ashley and Syl time to get away.

The Jabbercock would turn back, Ashley preparing to defend with her shield before Michelle interjected, indicating that – though her bravery was noble – she might wish to run instead, and Ashley and Syl beat a rapid retreat with Michelle somehow keeping pace at jogging speed. Ashley would frantically tell Syl they weren’t ready, and that they could come back and retake the trial later, but Michelle would chide her for giving up so easily, as when she said to run, she meant it tactically. To give them time to plan, as it would be a shame to abandon a meal before it was ready. At this implication Ashley would outright ask Michelle what she was – to which Michelle responded with her being a chef who would hate to see ingredients wasted. Ashley would swallow her fear to come up with a plan with Syl to catch the Jabbercock, leading Syl to ask to borrow Michelle’s twine.

They circled back to the Jabbercock, finding Alice confronting it again with limited success. Michelle would continue to watch from the sidelines as Ashley tried to draw the monster's attention by shouting and throwing rocks. She would eventually be successful in annoying it, and it opened fire on her, allowing Ashley to deflect the beast's load back in its face with her shield. The not-wax rapidly hardened as it splattered the Jabbercock, restricting its movement. Not hesitating, Ashley called to Syl who, having woven Michelle’s twine into nets, fired several of them at the beast, wrapping and immobilizing it.

Michelle would congratulate an elated Ashley and Syl, brushing off implications that her book told her details of the trial. Alice was less happy, though. Seeing Ashley and Syl as having stolen her prize, she retrieved a bottle from her pocket, chugging it. Her body would swell, armor falling to pieces. Her body would grow to be a giantess and and would lift the Jabbercock skyward – away from those who rightfully caught it. Michelle would observe the theft calmly, calling Alice a "naughty pigeon" and all but telling Ashley – with the motivation of a special herb from her belongings to whet her appetite – what she must do.

Michelle would watch Ashley grab Alice by the toe and consume her while she shouted and begged, attempts to swat Ashley fended off as Syl attacked her with more twine. Syl would see Ashley's gut bulge, and then shrink to nothing as the giantess was absorbed. Ashley's gut subsided, a blushing Syl helped her to her feet. Her gut was the same size it had been after Oishī, though Syl would be quick to point out the reason: Alice had gone straight to Ashley’s butt. Where before she was almost entirely flat, Ashley now sported a more inflated, perky rear. Leggings, previously loose, struggled to contain her new bulk. After some awkwardness, the pair would note that Michelle had quietly departed, despite being right behind Syl only a moment before.

Later on in the night, on a hill overlooking Chessboard, Michelle would meet with an odd individual – apparently a close associate – whose appearance resembled a clockwork mannequin of silver and glass with a pendulum in her chest. Michelle would apologize to them for her lateness, citing complications, though would be evasive when pressed for details. Her ally would sees through it, though, form shifting – apparently via illusion – to that of Ashley, then Syl, then Alice, then herself again, having seen everything.

The artificial woman would ask Michelle why she spared Ashley and Syl, though Michelle’s answer would be unhelpful, and the chef would quickly turn the tables in asking what of interest her partner found. The automaton would be equally evasive. Exchanges made, the “robot” would state her hunger, looking with wanting at the city. Michelle called it a hard request, but one she could arrange with a little time, which the automaton seemed to have an abundance of. (Floor 2 - Mirror/Mirror)

Abilities

 * Hell's Kitchen: Hell's Kitchen appears to be something akin to a reality marble. When active, no time appears to pass on the outside - its effects over in a moment - but events seem capable of transpiring inside, all within affected by slowed perception. Michelle seems to summon it from her hands as a scarlet dot - compared to a demonic eye - a crimson, smoky aura overtaking her. When released - with the sound of a table cloth - it envelops everything affected with a red color and oppressive heat. While the ability is active, Michelle seems to have absolute control over everything within the area, including individuals - being able to manipulate or alter them as she sees fit - and objects - able to summon new objects such as fruits, vegetables and cooking utilities as she sees fit, as well as alter her own clothing to be a chef's outfit. When finished, the red color and everything else seems to compact back into her hand like a sheet of gauze, vanishing instantaneously.
 * Lightning Fast Reflexes: Michelle has been shown on numerous occasions to having incredibly fast reaction times, both in defensive and offensive aspects, able to move before most lesser individuals can react. When confronted with a group of attackers, she was able to dodge every attack thrown her way with ease, before immediately turning the tables and trapping all of them with her butcher's twine before any could truly act, seeming almost like a blur as she did so.
 * Heightened Senses: Though through unclear exact means, Michelle's senses are honed enough that she was able to detect the presence of an approaching individual - as well as the Jabbercock chasing them - a notable amount of time before they entered normal hearing and sight range.

Equipment

 * Butcher's Twine: A versatile tool of unknown exact origin - though supposedly made from the silk of a worldweaver - the butcher's twine is a roll of strong golden thread, both flexible and sharp. Essentially a multi-tool, for Michelle's purposes, it has been shown to be capable of binding its victims inescapably - both in its normal state and when woven into a net - as well as cutting objects made of the metal - such as the Duchess' cleaver - in two with no apparent effort.
 * Kitchen Knife: A large, curved kitchen knife that Michelle appears to carry in her jacket at all times, almost having an malicious glint to it. It has been shown to be sharp enough to cut clothes from the body, as well as cut limbs from the body - though given the lack of attached gore, it is plausible it was simply the medium for a power attached to Michelle's Hell's Kitchen, in that case. It seems to make a buzzing sound when it is used.
 * "Black Book": A mysterious black book in Michelle's possession. Though unseen by anyone else and of unknown origin, it supposedly contains information on at minimum the 2nd Floor, as well as its overseer - Mirror - and the trial at Morning Wood, almost like some kind of guide book.
 * "Large Herb": A strange, large herb of unknown origin that Michelle - likely in her capacity as a chef - keeps on her person. The smell of it was apparently tasty enough that it convinced Ashley Gray - during a moment of indecision - to proceed with consuming Alice Little, going so far as to make her mouth water.

Prey Tracker
Total Prey: 002

Detailed Record

 * "Pink-Haired Punk" - 2F [Unknown.] (Floor 2 - Mirror/Mirror)
 * The Duchess - 2F [Oral - No apparent gains.] (Floor 2 - Mirror/Mirror)

Friends

 * "Cuckoo Clock": The exacts of Michelle's partnership with her automaton companion are unclear, but with the implication of both being powerful predators, it would seem to be an alliance of either mutual benefit or simply convenience stemming from neither having a particular advantage over the other, it being better for them to ally than not. To this end, what can be said for certain is that Michelle views her "friend" as something of an amusement - going so far as to mimic at least one of her verbal tics - albeit one that is a little greedy.

Enemies

 * The Duchess: While the Duchess may have seen Michelle as nothing more than an annoyance that might momentarily sate her appetite, Michelle's opinion of the pig woman seemed to be no more positive, viewing her as obnoxious at best, and not even particularly tasty without special care for preparation, making the status as Michelle's enemy questionable. If nothing else, though, she may have at least been filling.

Others

 * Ashley Gray: While Ashley sees Michelle as a scary and confusing individual, Michelle seems to see her more as a potentially tasty curiosity - shield included - who is otherwise fun to tease and who she may have future plans on eating. Despite her encouragement and teasing, Michelle seems to put forward a subtle malevolence, seemingly crafted to put Ashley and others on edge.
 * Syl: While Syl - like Ashley - sees Michelle as a scary and confusing individual, Michelle seems to see her more as a potentially tasty individual who is otherwise fun to tease and who she may have future plans on eating. Despite her teasing, Michelle seems to put forward a subtle malevolence, seemingly crafted to put Syl and others on edge.
 * Alice Little: Michelle seems to have had a prior history with Alice, though it is unclear whether it was recent or long lasting. As Alice is now no more, this has largely become irrelevant, as Michelle seemed to see no problem with setting Ashley on the knight. Like many others, though, Michelle seemed to have viewed Alice as someone who was potentially tasty, and fun to tease.
 * Queen Mirror: Michelle's personal opinions on Mirror - that being both halves of her - are unclear. That said, it can be noted that the demon woman lacks any sort of fear of the 2nd Floor's overseer - or at all, for that matter - and that Mirror seems more than aware - albeit annoyed by, in her red half's case - of the potential consequences of Michelle's seemingly unstoppable power.

Trivia

 * Michelle's full name - Michelle L'Instar - is a play on "Michelin star", in reference to her status as a self-proclaimed gourmet chef.