Fortunately for her, she was sent by her mother (who desperately wanted her daughter out of the way before she became old enough to attract further Tong attentions) to study under an old family friend, Sifu Wong. The old kung fu teacher ran his distant school like a Shaolin temple, and students did maintanence as well as learn martial arts. Discipline and enturance were the keys. Although only one of three girls there, Mei was treated well enough, and endured the training in order to return to her family. In fact, she excelled, and Sifu Wong trained her very well indeed.

    Naturally gifted with agility, she wasn't the strongest student, but she was the fastest and most graceful, and her skills with armed and unarmed combat grew every day. Finally, no longer a girl, but an attractive young woman, Mei made the decision that every student must make: Return home or remain as a Buddist priest and teach others. She chose to return home.

    A missed plane saved her life. She arrived in Hudson City's Chinatown to find the chaos of fire trucks and police surrounding the roaring inferno that was her home. People had been inside when it had ignited, and flames had trapped many inside. Through the haze of her tears as the firemen held her back, she saw a smirking young man in Yellow Dragons colors walking away. After the ashes cooled, shock gave way to grief, and then to rage. Arson was the official cause of not only the deaths of her parents, but that of seven other people - only one of whom was a rival tong member.

    Mei was equally furious when the crime was grouped with the recent rash of firebombings. This had happened during the day, when the restauraunt was open. It didn't have the trademark explosive device the others did. And lastly, it was in Chinatown. A cold realization set in upon her. This was where she was meant to be. The police didn't know anything, but maybe that gangster did. But how to prevent herself from being killed first?

    Mei had, like all the other students at the temple, worn her hair shaved. Now, she adopted a different set of looks. Long black hair and a set of reading glasses became her daytime disguise. As a waitress/cook's assistant in a posh Chinese bar and restauraunt, she would continue to be Mei Fai Quin. But at nights, she'd don a dark blue body suit, short black wig, a black half-mask, and a white headband with a symbol of her purity of spirit. The Blue Lotus was born in the ashes of that fire, and would seek to end the madness once and for all, by any means neccessary.

Quote: "You missed."


Personality:

    Mei is showing similar signs of a split personality as Scarecrow, although not anywhere near as extreme. As Mei, she is polite, gentle, deferential and courtious to a fault. She is an elegant conversationalist, and usually draws out critical information this way. She actively avoids trouble, and does little to call attention to herself.

    As Blue Lotus, she is far more agressive and direct. She is quite ruthless, although not a casual killer. She doesn't value the lives of wrongdoers, and her scorn is based on the crime. She will usually ignore the petty stuff, such as shoplifting and property crimes with no chance for injury. However, she will kill without pause or hesitation if the crime itself could cause death. She has no compunction about maiming or crippling either. And should she be having a bad night, she may well rough up the petty pickpocket with equal efficency.

Powers/Tactics:

    Blue Lotus is a classic martial artist. When she first starts a fight, she puts her levels in DCV and uses defensive moves, making herself very hard to hit. During the fight, she will try to make each attack count, particulartly when outnumbered. As she guages her opponent's combat ability, she will adjust her levels accordingly. She carries several throwing stars in her belt, as well as an compact grappling line. Her signature weapon is the Chinese broadsword, with which she can use many of her Kung Fu Martial Maneuvers. Blue Lotus never carries the pistol she owns, and is a firm believer in traditional weapons. They are quieter, and you don't leave as much evidence behind.

    As Mei, she has an old Luger pistol in the dresser of her apartment bedroom. It was all she could afford, and it's really there to make people less likely to believe she's a martial arts vigilante. After all, why would one of them need a pistol?

Appearance:

    As Blue Lotus, a formfitting bodysuit of light blue, with a grey utility belt for carrying throwing stars and her grappling gear, dull white boots and gloves, light forearm plates (act as buckler/shield), a black half-mask over the lower half of her face and a white headband with a lotus blossom emblem front center. Her hair is short cut and straight. Although it's a wig, most people don't notice. Few have the time.

    As Mei Fa Quan, it usually depends on what she's doing. At home, she wears casual jeans and t-shirts, at work she's been issued a snug-fitting short red silk dress (it's synthetic - just looks like silk) with a Chinese collar and buttons. She wears a set of moderately tasteful wireframe glasses (with plain lenses in them - not prescription), and has long hair past her waist, usually worn in a thick que or braid. Again, it's a wig, although she takes pains to keep it in place. In practically all modes of dress, she usually wears black slip-on shoes.