Brick by brick

The moment was long and drawn out, though it wasn't helped by Seiko struggling to formulate what they wanted to say into actual words. It felt concrete, but abstract at the same time. The feeling of not quite belonging to the groups their brothers and sisters fell into. Not that any of them really fit any particular role, but she somehow felt even more detached from those labels. They were still figuring it all out, but expressing it to their father felt important. Even if he didn't understand, surely he'd at least oblige their request? They'd made mistakes and been punished for them, sure, but they'd been trying hard to follow in his footsteps. Too hard, even, some might say.

Seiko released a breath they hadn't realized they'd been holding as he finally spoke. His words implied he had no intent on trying to convince them of anything other than what they'd said, and Seiko was grateful. Their father wasn't necessarily known for being the most open-minded wolf but maybe they were, when certain things really called for it. Seiko very nearly smiled, the corners of their lips quirking into the faintest of smiles before their expression once again softened.

"Something neutral, I think. They. Child. Not daughter nor son." A bold request, maybe? But they spoke with conviction and certainty they'd never felt before. Consequences be damned. This was a hill that they would die on - what was living without being true to oneself? If Hanzo had taught his children anything it was that.