Mai

Mai Minase
IC Information
Species:	Human
Place of Origin:	Tokyo, Japan
Birthdate:	January 3, 1987
Height:	4'9"
Weight:	Roughly 70 lbs
Hair Color:	Brunette
Eye Color:	Dark blue
Romantic Status:	Involved (Reiko)
OOC Information
Source:	Original Character

Mai (Previously known as Minase) arrived in Yuriba on March 16, 2003. She's generally a quiet girl, but as one gets closer, she begins to open up and talk more frequently. Commonly, she is not seen around the village, but rather remains hidden away in her cabin, in the middle of the woods.

Physical Appearance

Mai has light brown, shoulder-length hair that frames a slightly pale face. Her eyes are a dark, sometimes vivid, blue and she generally has a warm smile on her heart-shaped face. Being 4'9", her body is proportional to her height, though her arms and legs are just slightly toned.

Background

Mai was born to a Japanese mother and an American father. Shortly after birth in Tokyo, the family moved to a secluded valley in the western U.S. state of California. Until shortly before her arrival in Yuriba, that is where she lived - happy, if alone.

Personality

In General

Mai is quiet, even with those she knows, though she is usually more willing to be cheerful and talkative with friends. Her love of Reiko is unmatched and no matter what, she will always be devoted to her. This reflects on her personality somewhat, as she is not much of a flirt until she drinks any sake whatsoever.

Often Mai stays at home, reading one of her many books or entertaining friends. Very rarely she is seen wandering the streets; and then only long enough to get from one place to the other. One place she does like to frequent, when she has the chance, is the Crimson Rose and Sword, a place she grew fond of in her early days on the island. While quiet, she isn't difficult to approach.

On Romance

Before she met Reiko, Mai had the view that love was the most important thing a person could have in life and looked for it whenever she could, though she was very careful of those she let in close, as she was making herself very vulnerable to those people.

Skills and Hobbies

Mai has few, if any, extraordinary abilities. She appears to be (and is) very limber and on occasion she can be seen stretching in odd ways. She plays the violin rather well, and has had a fairly rare one acquired specifically for her. Her hobbies include reading, for the most part, or dozing off quietly in the lake just outside of her home.

Relationships

The earliest relationship that many people can tie Mai to was with Shoko. Together, they were happy until one of the many times Mai disappeared without a trace, leaving but a passing word that she will be back and that she misses Shoko. When she returned, shortly thereafter, she came home to find that Shoko had found someone else - a girl named Reiko. Mai wished them both happy times and retreated to the place she was then staying, the home of a friend of hers named Aryna. Before she could reach Aryna's home, Shoko stopped her and the three decided that they would try to be together - together. As the relationship blossomed, Mai became very attached to Reiko and vice versa. However, after many months, Mai disappeared once again. When she returned this time, Shoko and Reiko had married - without her. Still staying with them, though feeling like an outsider, she nevertheless became closer and closer to Reiko; but before she could reach the same level as Shoko, she disappeared once more.

Upon returning from this absence, she was crushed to find that Reiko was preparing to leave on a long journey and she did not know when she would return. Spending as much time over the next few days with Reiko as possible, Mai was reduced to tears when she left. Even Shoko could not entirely comfort her and the only thing that kept her from hiding away from the world was the determination that Reiko would return.

Many months went by and there was no sign of Reiko. Slowly, Shoko and Mai had drifted apart, though both remained dear friends with a deep mutual care for Reiko. Nearly a year had gone before Reiko returned and she was only there for a few weeks, many of which Mai spent on one of the most arduous disappearances yet. When she returned, Reiko had gone.

Alone and slightly depressed, Mai began to haunt Table 3 of the Crimson Rose for much of her time, drinking tea or occasionally, sake. During this time, she met Rae, someone who deeply comforted and soothed her at a time she needed it most.

For the next few months, they quickly became friends, and then lovers. By this time, Mai had built her secluded cabin, and invited Rae to stay with her. It was at this cabin, during an already heartbreaking evening that she found out Reiko had returned. Overcome with joy and completely oblivious, she told Rae that Reiko had come back...

...and Rae left.

Shortly afterwards, she disappeared on the longest time yet, only returning in June of 2006. Her heart crushed by the utter rejection she faced with Rae and the complete loneliness she felt without her, she found her spirits uplifted greatly when Shoko told her that Reiko had returned and was staying...

Now, Mai lives alone, having suffered again the loss of a dear one.

At this time, it appears as if Mai has left the island with little or no reason given. It is unknown if she will ever return or not.