TNI: Interim Two

Over the next few months, Gavin has some more therapy with Dr. Atsui. Thielo and Alexandra decide to try Bernard, and find him more to their liking. Some of this therapy does provoke a strange dream in Alexandra in which she is riding a merry-go-round where the riding choices are three difference Thielos, a duck, a horsie, and a cart.

The Strausses sell some of their sculptures as neo-post-deconstructionalism (or at least that's what the critics call it) which isn't bad for an occupation intended as a cover. They also look into adopting a child, and finally succeed in adopting a baby girl in October. She is given the name Katrina. Angelina throws a quick baby shower for Alexandra, inviting Gwen and Renee Staadler and Orchid. As might be expected, Orchid's gift is a little strange.

Orchid has been building a giant magic circle - perhaps a quarter mile across - out in the back acres of the Ranch. Many inquisition teams have been acquiring strange objects to go into the circle, either through purchase or theft. It is meant as a sort of telescope to peer at the world and tell Orchid who would be a suitable replacement for the Communist.

Alex Abel's companies have been doing quite well as he has chosen to move mostly out of producing stuff and into producing knowhow to link those who actually do the production. He has taken the golden check, as well. The other artefact of Sam's ascension, being Sam's body, is being a long-term project for the psychiatrists. They're pretty sure he's not actually Sam, but he has no idea who he is and is easily suggestible. The only real bit of personality he has is a violent opposition to all things mercantile.

RH:

Angelina spends a lot of time away from the Ranch; she joins a gym in Santa Fe, travels incognito to gun shows in the area, and passes 2-3 days at a time at nearby spas, ranches and luxury hotels. She attends Mass rather regularly, dragging Tina when she can, but goes to confession across town. At the autumnal equinox, Angelina keeps vigil in her arms & armor, but the Network does not contact her. The next day she appears at the Ranch with her hair cropped close, slicked back like Trinity in *The Matrix*. She shows up at the Ranch more often when Katrina arrives, but even so Angelina spends most of her time there riding alone, practicing at the shooting range, and playing with the baby (but not all three at once).

Alexandra's shower includes, among other things: lots of knitted booties (Gwen), a cartload of babyproofing tools (Dr. Staadler), a full layette with "Katrina" embroidered everywhere (no credit), designer baby and post-maternity clothes (Angelina), something very odd (Orchid), toys which are not odd at all (Tina), and plenty of European coffee and German coffee cakes. Alexandra is a bit overwhelmed and gives hugs all around.