The Astusgate Tapes

The Astusgate Documents

(What follows is partially a conversation via notes between me and Fraser (the GM) and the characters Astus and Dark (NPC))

Fraser: Why do you want to know Dark's points value?

Marie: Firstly to find out what I'm up against with the dog. Secondly, I want to know just how badly Tangent's going to take my advances. If he's prepared to do a deal I need to know what to offer. I'm guessing she's about 26 points, maybe more, maybe less.

Fraser: Dark is Tangent's Artifact (one of) he will not be prepared to do a deal. It's better to wait and see what eventually happens. Of course, you could ask Tangent for a genetically engineered 'pet' of your own (you would need to pay the points if you wanted it as an Artifact.)

Marie: Astus will wait, a substitute wouldn't satisfy him.

Fraser: What did you base your estimate of dark being 26 points on? It's greater than 10 but less than 30.

Marie: Fast; Deadly Damage; Shadow (seek in); Tongues; Shapechange (one alternate); Psychic Sensitivity (extraordinary) and at least one transferal.

Fraser: Close, but what about Int, and no transferal?

Marie: Tongues is under Int. Maybe Speak and Sing too? Or Psychic Resistance?

Fraser: Who can tell?

Marie: If he asked Dark, would she tell him?

Fraser: What does he ask? (exact wording and be tactful)

Astus: Dark, you're the most unusual and beautiful cat I've ever met. You can run so fast and fight so well, I fear that I wouldn't stand much of a chance against the Chaos counterpart of you if it has half your talent. Just how much can you do? If the dog comes after you, will you be safe?

Dark: I'm not scared of any dog. Tangent keeps me with him as his secretary and bodyguard, since I'm so much better at fighting than he is. With my claws, I haven't met anyone or anything I couldn't kill, your family members excepted.

Astus: You nearly killed Caine, so I'm assuming you could put an end to me if you wanted to. If you could kill me, couldn't the dog? And if you and the dog are so evenly matched, do you mind so much if I am concerned for your safety also?

Dark: No dog is a match for me. Why would I want to put an end to you? Why are your arms bandaged?

Astus: I hope so; you might if I annoy you; and I've met the dog.

Dark: Let me lick them better, *purrr!*

Astus: What would you do if Tangent ordered you to attack me? You really haven't answered the question, you know.

Dark: (She looks surprised by the question) I'm sure he wouldn't. I prefer not to think about such things. Which question didn't I answer? Is it important? I've got some Ice Magic and an ice cube here ...

Astus: *Sigh* I could get very depressed about this.

Dark: About what?

Astus: Where would you like me to start?

Dark: The beginning, where else? And hurry, the ice cube's melting.

Astus: I'm beginning to think you don't understand. Don't let it worry you - *sigh*.

Dark: I can't understand if you don't explain and it will worry me if I can't understand because you won't explain. For some reason, we never seem to talk anymore.

Astus: I've got a lot on my mind. Villiers; Makar; the Jewel of Judgement, and you.

Dark: What do those other things matter? (tumble) <time passes>

Astus: (During the cigarette) Don't you find it depressing here? Has Tangent ever shown you the places in Shadow? There are some wonderful places out there.

Dark: We have four weeks holiday every year. I seem to be a little out of place in a lot of them in humanoid form. I do like Bermuda. Tanelorn is very boring, but it's a nice place to rest. I'd like to see more, but Tangent usually needs me with him. Perhaps you could invite Tangent to your place for a holiday? Then I could come with him.

Astus: I could do, I suppose. It's a bit of a weird place though. Tangent doesn't take you with him all the time though, does he? If you could get a day or two free I could show you some cool places. I'd take you anywhere you wanted. Anywhere you could imagine.

Dark: I don't know how he'd react if I asked for some time off. I did hear of a place called Purrr! When we were in that other Amber. Apparently it's a place full of cats.

Astus: Maybe I could ask to borrow you for a while? You could see Purrr! Ever been on the back of a Harley Davidson? Could be fun.

Dark: On what grounds? You'd need a convincing reason. I don't think the truth would sit very well at the moment.

Astus: He's going to find out sooner or later, Dark. I think the video cameras are a bit of a tip-off. What will he do when he does find out? He wouldn't hurt you, would he?

Dark: I don't think so - he needs me too much to do anything permanently damaging to me and I am pretty resilient anyway. It may be that he already knows and doesn't care, or he may think that I can be a source of info about you and what you're up to. He's not likely to get violent anyway, it's not his way.

Astus: Would you pass on information?

Dark: Depends what it was. If you were plotting against him or Amber then I'd probably feel bound to do so. Otherwise I wouldn't pass on anything that would hurt you.

Astus: If I can think of a way to take you from him, I will. I don't like sharing you.

Dark: Until the situation changes we haven't any choice and I would be unable to forgive anyone who deliberately hurt him.Fraser: Hint: this means no carving Tangent into little chunks.

Astus: You've probably just saved his life. I hope he's grateful. (Astus fingers the hilt of his sword regretfully)

Dark: It's a good job the cameras don't have sound. He doesn't respond well to threats and this would be the wrong "Shadow" to threaten him in. (there's a beeping sound from her wrist computer.) I have to go. (She pulls her PVC bodysuit on and kisses you on the forehead.) See you later.

`ODE TO TANGENT`

Tangent; You utter, utter, utter, utter, utter, utter, utter, utter, utter, utter, utter, utter, utter, utter, utter, utter, utter,utter, utter, utter, utter, utter, utter, utter, utter, utter,utter, utter, utter, utter, utter, utter, utter, utter, utter,utter, utter, utter, utter, utter, utter, utter, utter, utter,utter, utter, utter, utter, utter, utter, utter, utter, utter,utter, utter, utter, utter, utter, utter, utter, utter, utter,utter, utter, utter, utter, utter, utter, utter, utter, utter,utter, utter, utter, utter, utter, utter, utter, utter, utter,utter, utter, utter, utter, utter, utter, utter, utter, utter,utter, utter, utter, utter, utter, utter, utter, utter, utter,utter, utter, utter, utter, utter, utter, utter, utter, utter, UTTER BASTARD!!!

(Written during Astus' stay in the cells. Found years later written on a cell wall in red Crayola.)