Zodiac Notes

Pronounciation: There are four tones in Chinese, and I have sought to represent them using punctuation.
"-" > The first tone is an even high note, like singing "la-"
"?" > The second tone is a sharp rise, like asking a question, or "huh?"
"..=.." > The third tone is a dip and a rise, like agreeing to someone with a "mm-hmm"
"!" > The fourth tone is a sharp drop, like "hey! You!"

May

First Appearance: 1_2

Major Appearances:

Beginning of Chapter 1, hanging out with Tony in Chinatown.

Middle of Chapter 6 trying to cheer Mao up.

Beginning of Chapter 9, kidnapped by Ao.

Character:

Small and cute little kid, cheerful and extremely genki. A dose of innocence, shall we say?

Tony

First Appearance: 1_2

Major Appearances:

Every Chapter. He's the main character, for heaven's sake.

Character:

24-year-old reporter who just got dumped by his girlfriend, Faye. An all-around good guy who finds himself caught up in "godly conspiracies", and inexplicably protective of a mischievious Mao-cat.

Nice, charming, and handling this whole twist in his life extremely well. And don't forget the foofy hair! Bishie-ness: *****

Jeff

First Appearance: 1_4

Major Appearances:

Beginning of Chapter 1, teasing Tony.

Middle of Chapter 5, finds Tony at ShenJu

from Chapter 6 to beginning of Chapter 7, helping Tony research.

Prologue of Chapter 7, younger but still teasing Tony

Middle of Chapter 9, where he talks with Kuang Hu. Mysterious past thing?

Beginning of Act 2, Chapter 1, where he joins Li's group.

Character:

Older-brother type, who likes to tease Tony, but helps when Tony needs it. Maybe he's doing it just for fun, but still helpful. However, his brief exchange with Kuang Hu signals that he's something more. Some secret Prince angst, perhaps? He is silenced by Kuang Hu and saved by Li. He is currently with the rebels.

One of the older men, very caring of May, his younger sister, and an accomplished writer. Bishie-ness: ***

Mao

pronounciation: "mao-"

Chinese Character: "Cat"

Animal: The cat chases the rat for the reason given in the prologue. So there. Chinese cats aren't as emphasized for sensuality or nine lives as Western cats do. (That's more of the fox/vixen's role). They are mostly seen as something to stop the dratted rats.

Mao-cat leaping out the door. Smaller and more portable than Mao. Plus cuter.

First Appearance: 1_4

Major Appearances:

The other main character, who is in every chapter. Woo.

Character:

Definitely angsty past, that is somehow tied to Kuang Hu (her brother) leaving her behind, a love/hate relationship with Meishuu, and a curse that prevents her from doing anything about it. New info from Act 2 Chapter 1 seems to hint that she is left by Kuang Hu to live with Old Mao. She and Tony seems to have come to terms after the battle with Ao. Now they're an unofficial couple. However, there are many mysteries still unsolved, and Mao's probably in the middle of it all. Remember the enigmatic prologue to Chapter 7, where a young Mao arranges a meeting with a young Tony. This cat has many secrets. Least of which the mysterious jade pendant that Ao takes and Tony returns. She mentions that old Mao is dead. Was she present?

pronounciation: "li!"

Chinese Character: "Fox"

Animal:

The fox is traditionally represented as a devious female, not very different from the English use of "foxy", or "vixen". Folktales usually have them marrying humans and being a beautiful and virtuous wife, until discovered and chased away. Another story would have her be the young concubine that beguiles in some powerful man or god with her charms. Mythically, the more powerful the fox is, the more tails it would have, topping at 9. (anime-savvy people might recall Kurama from Yuu Yuu Hakusho)

First Appearance: Act 2, 1_4

Major Appearances:

She just appeared in the beginning of Act 2, Chapter 1.

Character:

She's the leader of the rebels, and her fur coat + cigarrette reminds me of Cruella DeVille. No name has been given yet, but she is clearly a demi-god, and judging by the foxes that she plays with, she's probably a fox demi-god. I think that she is Li, but it's a very drastic character design change from the first Li-teaser sketch that Jen posted at the end of Act I. Looking at the other picture that Jen posted, she seems to have some sort of history with Mao. The animal that she carries looks almost like a cross between a fox and a cat.

Mao (Previous)

pronounciation: "mao-"

Chinese Character: "Cat"

Animal:

The cat chases the rat for the reason given in the prologue. So there. Chinese cats aren't as emphasized for sensuality or nine lives as Western cats do. (That's more of the fox/vixen's role). They are mostly seen as something to stop the dratted rats.

First Appearance: Act 2, 1_18 (although his voice is heard in 1_17.

Major Appearances:

Kuang Hu appeals to him in the middle of Act II, Ch. 1.

Character:

He's a old cat-god who has gone into hiding and makes umbrellas. He is the godfather (Gande) of Kuang Hu and Mao, the previous incarnation of the current Mao. Mao showed up to take his place because he was near death. So he "retired", but also raised Mao as a "human girl". He wants a quiet, human life, and seems unwilling to join in the Zodiac conflicts. However, Kuang Hu entices him with the promise of "returning home", so he might be some sort of exile.