Profile
Intro
Mei is an aloof, solitary hyakume living within and guarding Makai's Fallen Temple. Due to her nonconfrontational nature, Mei perfers to send her Evil Eye manifestations to check on areas of her home, or to hopefully scare off trespassers without her direct intervention.
Despite her quiet disposition, Mei is not hesitant to exercise her power should she deem it necessary. This means temporarily, or even permanently, blinding those who impede her territory; its best to leave when you've outstayed your welcome in Fallen Temple.
Appearance
Voice HC: "Go to hell and write manuscripts!" (JP)
Physically, Mei appears to be a child no older than 11-years-old. Mei's long hair is seaweed green in color, and her bangs notably cover her left eye. Mei wears clothing akin to that of a maids', including a long-sleeve, button-up blouse along with a black smock. Completing this look is a frilly headband.
Mei's most noticable aspect is the large, disembodied eyes that accompany her. They are referred to as Evil Eyes. Aside from the several that wander about aimlessly, Mei uses her spawns as accessories; along the hem of her dress are golfball-sized red eyes, lined with black tentalces that give them a vaguely flower-like appearance. She claims the Evil Eye she wears in her hair is her favorite.
Design Notes
- Mei's left eye is always covered by her bangs.
- Mei's youthful appearance is accentuated by her stature; she is 4'7".
- Mei's scythe is an optional prop.
About
Mei is best described as cold and highly unapproachable; her solitary nature is not due to shyness, but rather from her desire to simply be left alone. Mei often sends Evil Eyes to confront tresspassers in her stead to avoid having to interact with others, be they other Makai residents or outsiders. However, as a temple guardian, Mei has low tolerance for anyone invading Fallen Temple; troublemakers will be persecuted, even if it means Mei must come out from her hiding place.
Mei has little qualms about blinding those she deems to be overstepping her boundaries. As far as she is concerned, trespassers understand the consequences of being caught in a hyakume's domain and their punishment is just.
In spite of her cruelty, or maybe as a result of it, Mei is rather child-like. Though her Evil Eyes are not autonomous, Mei often treats them as pets, puppeting them in a way reminiscent of a child playing with a doll. She is likely lonely, perpetuated by her own avoidant nature.
Trivia
- Mei's name is spelled with the characters 目 (meaning "eye") and 生 (meaning "life"). Mei is not known to have a surname.
- Being "slashed" by Mei's sycthe is metaphorical. She doesn't actually injure anyone with it.
- Mei's ability would be ineffective against someone who is already blind.
Magic and Abilities
Causing Blindness
Hyakume (百目 meaning "a hundred eyes") are shy, isolated youkai characterized by their association with eyes. Hyakume live in historical temple sites, acting as their protectors from theives and squatters. This is primarily achieved via their ability to manifest eyes, referred to as Evil Eyes, which then follow trespassers to ensure they keep out of trouble.
A hyakume's ability to manifest eyes is limited only to their successes as a temple guardian. With a single slash from her scythe, Mei is capable of blinding tresspassers to expand her summoning capabilities. In essence, this is Mei "stealing" the sense of sight from her opponent for her own usage; freshly stolen vision will manifest as another Evil Eye for the hyakume's advantage.
Blindness caused by a hyakume may be temporary; if the perpetrating hyakume is successfully sealed by a shrine maiden, each of their attained Evil Eye manifestations will dissolve and vision will be restored. Alternatively, an Evil Eye can be relinquished voluntarily, be it due to bargaining with the hyakume or simply because the hyakume has no further use for it.
Evil Eyes do not have minds of their own, and act as an extension of the hyakume themselves.
List of Mei's Spell Cards
- Maid Secret Skill 「Etiquette」| メイド秘技「礼儀作法」
- Eye Sign 「Illusionary Funeral Paradise」| 目符「幻葬楽園」
- Eye Sign 「One Hundred Eyes」| 目符「ひゃくめ」
- Eye Sign 「Poem of a Witch」| 目符「魔女の詩」
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