Here, have an Omake with no names named and couched thoroughly in generalities.
House Sesus was a martial House, home to those who prided themselves on their ferocity and capability in combat. Some would say they were too devoted to the arts of war, too focused on the supremacy of armed conflict above all else, and that their skills in the more delicate arts of diplomacy had suffered as a result. To those who would say such a thing a child of the House would reply that their strength of arms was the shield of the Realm. The legions of House Sesus guarded the interests of the Realm across Creation, from the Blessed Isle to the distant reaches of the Threshold. Any such theoretical weaknesses were immaterial in the face of the deadly threats that faced the Princes of the Earth.
Aside from their prowess at war, House Sesus took great pride in its bloodlines. The House had taken the greatest of pains to safeguard and shepherd its Exalted blood, to ensure that it was properly husbanded and shielded from mortal dilution. They prided themselves on their ties to House Mnemon and the strong connections it granted to the blood of the Scarlet Empress. Thus, one of the House's greatest shames occurred when a child of one of their illustrious bloodlines had failed to Exalt.
Sesus Ulyssian was a blight upon the breeding of House Sesus. What was more he had made himself as obnoxiously obvious as possible, going so far as to successfully join the Imperial Navy Academy and place himself openly before the eyes of the powerful and influential of the Realm. Granted, that was only possible due to the odd stipulations of Admiral Zao, and it was somewhat impressive that the depressingly weak child had managed to make something of himself despite his... deficient circumstances.
The balance of events showed some small promise in this sadly mortal boy, and so the the Elders of the House had sought to find a way to use him to forward the House's interests. House Nellens and its love for Mortals made for a convenient outlet for an unwanted mortal scion, and a marriage contract provided a way to strengthen the relationship between distant Houses in a time of looming strife. Perhaps something of use could come of this poor unfortunate soul.
And now! What strange news had come from the Academy! Sesus Ulyssian, who had long been a target of derision, both within the House and without, had Exalted as a Fire Aspect! And if rumors were to be believed had been chosen as a potential successor by Admiral Zao himself! True, it wasn't all ambrosia and Beast of Resplendent Liquid produce. The House had had no contact with young Ulyssian in some time, and he had apparently been influenced by the Admiral, with his strange notions about the primacy of merit. Though his position and influence were worthy of respect, his politics remained doubtful.
The continued validity of the arrangement with House Nellens was also in question. They had wished for an outstanding mortal, not one of Hesiesh's Chosen. Further politicking would be required to learn how this new wrinkle would affect the developing relationship between the two Great Houses. It was unthinkable that House Nellens would prefer a mortal to one of the Ten Thousand Dragons, but then their preferences were already moderately unthinkable. Their preoccupation with Mortals was truly odd.
Regardless of all else though, this was a day for celebration! One of their own had proven his worth beyond all expectation and joined the ranks of the Dragons' Chosen. Now all that remained was to contact their wayward child and welcome him into the fold. It must be his greatest wish to be finally recognized as a scion of House Sesus in full now that his unfortunate mortality was in the past.
With his previous unrelenting will to power coupled with the gift of elemental fire that had been unleashed within him there was no telling what heights young Ulyssian might reach, and it was for his own good as well as that of the House that he take counsel with them. He was but a headstrong youth after all, and it wouldn't do for so promising a child to fail before the new pressures that would be unleashed upon him.
Word Count: 712
