The three of you have graduated recently, all with high honors for exceptional talent and skill, even among the Dragon-Blooded. Leaving with the accolades of your teahcers, and the envy of your schoolmates, the trip back to your households is made.<br/><br/>Ofuji finds himself back at the modest Manse that his mother lives in, along with his grandparents, all of whom have been proud of your growing military and political prowess. One of the retainers greets you at the door, and smiles warmly. " Young master Toshiro! It is good to see you again." He bows. " Your mother is expecting you in her room. She is very proud of your accomplishments- Your grandparents as well have given their regards, though I am afraid they are currently on a business trip." Your father's parents, much like their son, died during the Fair Folk invasion, but your mother's parents are still alive, a wealthy merchant line- The marriage gave the merchant line a strong military backing, and the military line a more steady financial take. And, surprisingly, your parents were still relatively congenial in their relationship. The retainer bows, and the memory of the walk to your mother's room comes back, the memories of the few times when she asked you to visit the room. The house is slightly dusty, a few signs of the loss in the family's fortunes since the military side was devastated in the Great Contagion.<br/><br/>Amaya finds herself back at the forbidding war manse that houses her extended family. Children are duelling in the yard, slaves working in the small orchard, and your older brother meets you at the door. " Hello, Sister. I'm told that you managed to cut off a man's arm with your bare hand. Everyone is extremely proud." He smiles. " Mother and Father wish to talk to you- It seems that there's something very important they need to tell you." He opens the door, ushering you in to the intimidatingly large hall. It stretches up nearly a hundred feet, the ivy of the Manse's stray essence climbing the pillars in perfect geometric patterns, and the sun piercing a small opening, flooding the entire room with light- At the moment unblocked by a Hearthstone, though if something unfortunate were to happen, the hall would be suffused with the magnificent green light of the Wood-Aspect Hearthstone, that made this place popular for those family members who had been injured in battle- it was sometimes said that it made the place wounded stronger than it was before, and was the pride of your family. For now, the Hearthstone is being used by your uncle, in a war going on in the South. The hall is empty for the moment, making your steps echo throughout the hall. A lot of family has died in the last twenty years, that odd second cousin not the only one among them.<br/><br/>Alissara reaches the small manse that she managed to earn for herself and her mother after she Exalted- the Contagion left very few sorcerors, let alone sorceror technicians of Alissara's skill. She's been able to parley that into a good home for her mother, and membership for both of them in one of the great Dragon-Blooded families. The Manse, while small by Dragon-Blood standards, is practically a palace compared to your patrician home. You're even able to afford a retainer for your mother, who greets you at the door, smiling. " Ah, madam, it is good to see you again. Your mother has news that she wished to tell you in private." He opens the door, smiling, allowing you in- The large suit of armor, your father's heirloom, stands in the hall, having been delivered scant hours ago. He directs you through the house to meet your mother in the parlor.