I often think about how Meiko perceieves the 'villains' in the story, especially with how a majority of them are presented as (somewhat) sympathetic beings. What does it take to make her sympathize with them? To 'forgive' them, if at all?
Her thoughts on the matter follow a generally consistent code.
Meiko can empathize with an antagonist's personal history. Her hometown is made up of folks who break multiple laws, her parents were pirates, etc. She and A'kihiko understand that people will sometimes do terrible things to survive.
This is especially strong in the cases of Yotsuyu and Fordola. Meiko can feel genuine sympathy for both women upon learning their history. She recognizes that Fordola wants to make amends and agrees with Lyse that her crimes against Ala Mihgo should be paid in service to the country, not a death sentence.
In most cases, Meiko only believes that the 'death penalty' should only be carried out if the villain is out of control. That is, they do not show regret nor are interested in reform. When the world around them is safer only if they are dead, then she'll be the first to offer up to execute someone.
This is the case with both Yotsuyu and with Zenos. Yotsuyu is actually a more sensitive case than Meiko would ever let anyone know because of how the woman was sold into a brothel. Meiko knows that is exactly where she would have ended up if her father's crew hadn't intercepted the ship. Thus, she empathizes with Yotsuyu a lot. Would she have done the same? Could have turned out similar?
Despite this, and perhaps out of a distant respect for her, Meiko would have (if it were her place; she knows it is not) put Yotsuyu to death. She recognizes Yotsuyu's hatred is all that she is. That is more than evident when her amnesia leaves her in a childlike state. Meiko was deeply disturbed by 'Tsuyu' and her mannerisms. It felt, again, like some form of human trafficking to keep her that way. She was relieved at the outcome, although she pitied Yotsuyu and her miserable existence.
When it comes to Zenos, Meiko would also be unable to vote for anything but his execution. The events in canon do not leave any room for Zenos and the WoL to talk. Every time he appears, it is to threaten or murder innocent people in order to get a rise out of them. He does not see an issue with this. He does not show remorse for anyone but himself and his boredom, his loneliness, etc.
Although Meiko can admit that his presence against the Endsinger was helpful, she did not give him acceptance (A'kihiko did) and could only ever treat him as an annoyance. A dangerous annoyance.
If Meiko ever had a chance to simply hear Zenos out, if she could hear him explain why he functions the way that he does... at best, she would want to shake him violently. She would only grow frustrated trying to get him to understand why what he does is wrong. If he agreed to 'repent' for his ill-doings, it would only be for selfish motivations (to fight the Mochikokos again) and not for genuine change. No matter why or how Zenos ended up the way he did, Meiko can only see the world as safer without him.
Skipping back in the timeline again --
Ysayle. Lady Iceheart. Meiko rarely forgives anyone who has threatened her brother so directly, but Ysayle showed genuine regret for her actions from the get-go (in HW). If Ysayle had survived, Meiko would recommend she not return to Ishgard again if she can help it...but to join the Scions as her 'penance' instead. Meiko is also confident that Ysayle would dedicate the rest of her life to doing good deeds to make up for her poor ones.
Gaius! When he was simply the Black Wolf who threatened Eorzea, revived Ultima, and had a weird gaggle of devotees, Meiko had no reason to sympathize with him. He came from Garlemald who thought they knew better than Eorzeans and decided they wanted to conquer them (as far as she knew), so she was all for killing the bastard.
When he returns in Stormblood, circumstances have changed. Like Ysayle, he seeks to undo some of the harm he did. He also does himself a favor by not returning to Garlemald nor Eorzea, instead sticking to Werlyt and trying to heal. Meiko believes he does not intend to return to any wicked conquering, so he can go back to raising his lizard daughter.
Ascians. Oh, you rambly, tragic cloaked little bastards. As the truth around the Ancients comes to light and motivations are revealed, Meiko once again finds herself in the 'I pity you but you need to be stopped' category with Emet-Selch and Elidibus. Even Hermes gets some post-humous empathy! But again: they are threatening her loved ones, so they need to be killed.
This brings up another very good point with Meiko's perspective of villains: She's self-centered and isn't afraid to acknowledge it. She feels for Emet-Selch. She knows that if she were in his shoes (like with Yotsuyu) she would likely do the same. She recognizes he sees himself as the Hero.
But he is threatening a world in which people she loves exists. If it is purely a fight of my world versus yours (and it is), Meiko will be the first to choose her own. She can acknowledge the parallels but will not be guilted or shamed into allowing her loved ones to perish. She will choose people she cares for above all else, every time. Whether it's viewed as heroic or not.
As for Hermes, Meiko pities that man. She pities him for his sadness causing the end of the universe. It was purely an accident. His actions cannot be forgiven, but she knows he truly held no ill will at the start. The lad was just deeply depressed in what was otherwise considered a utopia. It was rought.
Fandaniel, though? Amon? Meiko recognizes that those are elements of Hermes that have gone off the deep end. Like Yotsuyu and Zenos, he is a feral creature who is too single-minded to be reformed. Death was the only option. This is similar to how she views Nidhogg, too. Although she is glad he's gotten attached to Estinien and they seem to be...helping each other, or whatever. She doesn't ask too many questions there.
Meteion -- Meteion gets a pass. Even at her worst as the Endsinger, even after she unmade the Scions, Meiko acknowledges Meteion's unique situation. She is not a hateful creature. She was an innocent child that was corrupted by the darkness she was unknowingly exposed to. She holds no ill will for the entelechy. In fact, she hopes to see her again.
Bonus: Asahi and Athena! Both were simply evil. Meiko refuses to believe anything else. Sorry not sorry, slit their throats and move on. Sometimes you just have some bad eggs. Best to send them back to the aetherial sea and hope they're better in their next lives.
