Porter

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"Porter" is a major character in Ascent: Trials of Vore. She is the co-gatekeeper of the Tower alongside her twin sister, Verge, as well as the Overseer of the 1st Floor.

She first appeared in Floor 1 - The Gateway, introducing Ashley Gray and the rest of her group to both the Tower and the 1st Floor's challenge.

She last appeared on the 1st Floor.

Appearance
At the time of Ashley Gray's arrival in the Tower, Porter appeared to be a young woman with flowing, bright pink hair and a slightly above average physical build. She was of average height, being roughly eye level with Ashley. She wore a revealing, fluorescent green bikini.

Personality
Porter, as an individual, appears relatively laid back and casual, as well as incredibly smug, likely the result of her position of absolute power. She also seems somewhat cruel, or at least amoral by human standards, given the perceived cruelty she appears to be willing and often even happy to commit, as well as the acts of consumption she sees no issue with carrying out. This aside, she's rather upbeat and exhibits curiosity about things that pique her interest - though she herself has stated that this isn't to be mistaken for care in the cases that the object of interest is a person - as well as a degree of self-centered attitude shown in her choices of clothing and floor decoration being selected to actively draw attention to her.

In spite of this moral-less yet happy existence, she seems to show genuine love for her twin sister, Verge.

Alongside the facets of her persona, Porter has a strange aura of mystery about her, as evidenced by Porter not even being her real name, as well as her willingness to withhold details of certain topics if it either suits her or her goals.

Background
The woman who would eventually adopt "Porter" as an alias was born - alongside her younger twin sister, Verge - around 60,000 years prior to Ashley Gray's arrival in the Tower.

At some point in the past - possibly over 55,000 years before Ashley, if this was around when the current Tower system was put in place - Porter and Verge took up the responsibilities and benefits of being co-gatekeepers of the Tower, in the process also becoming co-overseers of the 1st Floor, which would be one of the Tower's smaller floors under Porter's influence. These responsibilities included generally running the Tower as "housekeeper", presiding over new arrivals and "keeping the wheels turning", though Porter would at one point admit that she didn't control the Tower directly, and that a lot of its functions ran on their own.

Around 11,000 years before Ashley's arrival, Porter would become aware of an individual reaching the Tower's 1,003rd Floor, before settling. By the present, they had yet to move from that location as of the last time Porter had visited them, and were still considered the Tower's most successful climber.

At another later, unknown time - following the mysterious disappearance of the Overseer of the 48th Floor - Verge would step down as co-overseer of the 1st Floor - albeit remaining co-gatekeeper - to take up temporary overseer-ship of the abandoned floor while Porter searched for a replacement. As Verge seemed to do well in the position, however, Porter neglected to ever actually find a proper replacement, though over time came to miss her sibling's previously constant presence.

On at least a handful of occasions, Porter would experience newly arrived climbers having panic attacks upon her greeting them. She would also encounter climbers who set hard to beat record times for passing the 1st Floor, one of whom was an "Arborican Hungerling" who Porter was annoyed enough about to still be trying to find out who "invited" them by the time she met Ashley.

At an unknown point, there would also be an incident that would cause Porter to no longer be allowed to throw parties to celebrate climbers beating her floor.

At some point prior to Ashley Gray's arrival, Porter would alter the 1st Floor's aesthetic from the usual barren white rooms and corridors to what she would describe as a "sheet metal" look. This would later start to get on her nerves, however, and she'd switch it back again - partly with the intent of drawing attention to her and her fluorescent colored outfit - creating the version of the 1st Floor Ashley would eventually encounter in the process.

Porter seemed to be at least partially aware of Ashley Gray - and certain details of her physical appearance - prior to her arrival in Tower. It is unknown how far this knowledge went and at what time she acquired it, however, given the general information awareness she would go on to claim all Overseers shared. (Floor 1 - The Gateway)

Also prior to Ashley, Porter would witness Ogborth, during his own 1st Floor trial, brutally kill his last remaining opponent. She would let him pass when it became apparent he wouldn't be "devouring" anyone. (Floor 3 - Greed and Glory)

1st Floor
Porter would greet Ashley Gray on her arrival in the Tower, in her capacity as the Tower's gatekeeper. After startling the human girl with her sudden appearance, she dispensed an explanation of her having been transported to another universe, halfheartedly apologizing on the Tower's behalf for the associated body stiffness and headache, and providing Ashley with a pair of "blessed" yellow glasses to replace a pair lost in transit once Ashley's panic died down - Porter helping to alleviate by providing a paper bag, though also not helping by reading her mind. Porter did not provide Ashley with much immediate information about her situation, however, being troll-ish and unhelpful. She would show an odd curiosity about Ashley, before slapping her on the rear and leaving to "meet the others". Before that, however, she forced Ashley to promise not to discuss their meeting or the origin of the glasses with anyone, supposedly because some "others" would "leap on" Ashley if they knew Porter had helped her, even forcing the girl to shake hands on it and causing her - through some form of magic - to be physically unable to discuss the matter with anyone else.

On Ashley's first meeting Oishī and Kunai, Kunai would prevent Oishī from consuming Ashley on the spot by warning that the "gatekeeper" would make an example of them if they weren't patient. It is likely she was referring to Porter.

Later, Porter would appear before Start Group 20200517-E - Ashley included - in the stage room, eyes flickering to Ashley to shock her into remembering their promise, before she explained the group's situation. She stated that none of them had been brought to the Tower by accident, all selected because of attributes she claimed they had, and the right to a destiny at the top of the Tower, un-reached in over 50,000 years. She would then summon Marie, a failed climber from the 5th Floor, whom she took enjoyment in consuming and absorbing in front of the group to demonstrate the mentioned attributes, as well as the fate that would await failures, enticing some but horrifying most. Porter left further "mumbo jumbo" explanations of the Tower to higher floors. Instead, she set the rules of the 1st Floor's challenge: the group would be spread across a vast maze, and would have to survive getting back to the stage. Only 2 of the group would survive the feeding frenzy, the doors to the next floor opening after that fact. Immediately after, Porter teleported all members of the group to distant parts of the maze.

Though Porter would not be seen again until the conclusion of the challenge, "Dawn" would brush off concerns about her when meeting with Ashley and Syl in her "home", alluding to Porter not being able to kick her off the floor, even if she wanted to.

Porter reappeared following Ashley and Syl absorbing Oishī and Kunai, seeming oddly proud. She congratulated them for passing the 1st Floor in record time, albeit only record time for a human-elf duo, as they'd be hard pressed to beat some outliers. Ashley asked Porter if she'd provide more information on the Tower than she had previously. Porter was tight lipped and condescending, only willing to tell Ashley and Syl, on the subject of their race to the top, that many who attempted the same and survived found another goal instead, or just gave up. When pressed, she clarified that the Tower has 1,000+ floors of varied size, and that the most successful climber reached the 1,003rd Floor 11,000 years earlier before stopping.

Porter then opened up the doors to the 2nd Floor, a long, medieval castle-like corridor to contrast the 1st Floor's soulless white walls, ahead of them, Porter musing on an apparent redecoration and the corridor rising several miles despite seeming flat. Syl would then - after being repeatedly interrupted by Porter - have to talk Ashley out of arguing with the gatekeeper when they wouldn't elaborate further. Porter held Ashley back for a moment, shooing Syl by flustering her into going ahead, calling her Ashley's "girlfriend". She would ask Ashley how things went, more out of curiosity than care, Ashley responding bluntly that she'd eaten a woman alive and wasn't sure she'd hated it, Porter deliberately misconstruing that fact as a good thing, earning a reveal of Ashley's hatred of her and, among other things such as her knowing Ashley's 'perfect B' grade record and everything about her life, and that she wasn't going to get an answer about why she was so interesting to Porter.

Porter would also give Ashley a warning of her own: “Be careful around that bitch in the suit.” Done with Porter's antics, Ashley caught up to Syl and exited the 1st Floor.'

Following Ashley and Syl's departure, their presence having been refreshing for Porter, the overseer was joined by "Dawn" - in reality her sister, Verge, in disguise - who had been hiding nearby. Porter coaxing Verge out of wearing her mask with only family around - Verge getting a jab in about the deception "Porter" was pulling - the twins would discuss their respective curiosities about the departed pair: Porter being interested in Ashley, and Verge in Syl. Some other friendly banter would ensure, including but not limited to discussions about Verge's placement on the 48th Floor, and Verge making a crack about Porter having changed the 1st Floor's aesthetic back again to draw attention to herself. (Floor 1 - The Gateway)

While on the 2nd Floor, Ashley would think back to Porter a couple of times, first when thinking about her warning upon meeting Michelle L'Instar, and then again when discussing the city of Chessboard and wondering what it's "gimmick" was. (Floor 2 - Mirror/Mirror)

Abilities
Most of Porter's abilities can be attributed to her being co-gatekeeper of the Tower, as well as Overseer of the 1st Floor. It is unclear what the origin of her abilities is, but the following are powers she has been shown using in one form or another.
 * "Floor Control": Porter was shown to have absolute control over everything on the 1st Floor, as its Overseer. This includes but might not be limited to opening and closing locked doorways.
 * "Teleportation": Porter was shown on multiple occasions to be capable of teleporting herself, other people or assorted objects from one location to another, though this form of teleportation - much like that caused by the Tower itself - seemed to cause headaches and stiffness in teleportees if they were either unused to or not expecting it.
 * "Floating": Porter was shown on multiple occasions to be capable of floating in midair without any apparent aid required, being able to move about freely in this state.
 * "Intangibility": Porter was shown on one occasion to be capable of walking through a solid wall as if it wasn't there.
 * Mind Reading & "Influence": Porter was shown on multiple occasions to be capable of indiscriminately reading the thoughts of those around her. This repeatedly allowed her to - at her convenience or amusement - answer questions before they were spoken, repeatedly interrupt others mid-sentence to annoy them, and otherwise just generally irritate those around her. Additionally, she was shown to be able to force mental blocks on individuals to prevent them divulging specific information, this being created through a promise and handshake on the one occasion it was used.
 * "Information Recall": Like all other Overseers, Porter is capable of recalling information pertaining to any climber as if it were public knowledge, including all details of their life prior to their arrival in the Tower. It is unknown whether this ability also extends to their life following arrival.

Former Equipment

 * Porter's Glasses: A pair of magic glasses Porter gave to Ashley to replace her lost pair, though with the caveat that Ashley is unable to discuss their origin with anyone. Supposedly, they're "blessed"/magic, though Porter did not elaborate on what this meant.

Prey Tracker
Total Prey: Unknown

Detailed Record

 * Marie - 1F [Oral - No gains.] (Floor 1 - The Gateway)

Affiliations

 * The Tower‏‎: By the time of Ashley Gray's arrival, Porter had been co-gatekeeper of the Tower, alongside her sister Verge, for quite possibly tens of thousands of years, as well as Overseer of the 1st Floor. These responsibilities - being what loosely amounts to a job - include running the Tower as "housekeeper", presiding over new arrivals and "keeping the wheels turning", though Porter would at one point admit that she didn't control the Tower, and that a lot of it ran on its own.

Family

 * Verge: Porter seems to have a close relationship with her sister, Verge seeming to be the only person shown thus far that she both cares about and genuinely loves. Despite their mild bickering and taking jabs at each other, the two have a strong bond, Porter admitting to missing Verge during the latter's time away from the 1st Floor - having to put her own thoughts on her sister's placement aside when dealing with it.

Others

 * 5th Floor Overseer: Not much is known of Porter's interactions with the Overseer of the 5th Floor, beyond her apparently being seen been by Porter as a "hard-ass", and her convincing them to provide Marie for a 1st Floor demonstration.
 * Ashley Gray: Though Ashley has decided that she hates Porter, the same cannot be said in return. Porter has chosen to be nothing but a nuisance, enjoying watching Ashley squirm as much as she does everyone else, not caring about Ashley's overall well-being beyond token gestures. Despite this, Porter seems to have some curiosity about Ashley, going so far as to visit Ashley in secret at the start of the 1st Floor and provide her with a new pair of glasses to replace her lost ones. This isn't to be mistaken for caring, however. Though, Ashley's hatred of Porter has been verbally admitted, Porter doesn't care about Ashley's opinion of her either way beyond that general interest.
 * Syl: Similar to Ashley, it is likely Syl has some degree of hatred or dislike for Porter that is not reciprocated. Porter has deliberately cut Syl off multiple times, and at least once shooed her away via embarrassment (she addressed Syl as Ashley's "girlfriend"). Porter doesn't care about any climber's opinion of her, and Syl is no different.
 * Start Group 20200517-E‏‎: As with Ashley, Syl and any other climber, Porter lacks any strong feeling either way about most of this start group. While some members of it - such as Oishī and Kunai - knew enough of Porter beforehand be both in awe and fearful respect of her, there is no evidence she is even aware of this fact.