Lei

**Lei** is a former Paper Girl.

"I was born on the first day of the New Year, under the watchful gaze of the full moon. My parents named me Lei, with a soft rising tone. They told me they chose it because the word makes your mouth form a smile, and they wanted to smile when I'd accidentally knocked over a tray of herbs or let Bao in to paw muddy footprints across the floor, the corners of their mouths couldn't help but tuck up, no matter how loudly they shouted."

## Appearance

With her golden eyes, Lei is considered good luck and has been asked if she is pure Paper. She is short and has long raven hair, like her mother.

## Personality

"*Your dress showed me that you had strength, but softness, too. A sense of loyalty, but not without fairness. Fight,* and *mercy" -* Wren, *Girls of Paper and Fire*

Lei cares a lot about her family and everyone else she loves, and wants to keep them safe. She agrees to become a Paper Girl to protect her family and is hesitant to kiss Wren because she is worried that she will get in trouble. However, she also speaks up about what she believes is right, even if that endangers others. She sometimes acts impulsively or doesn't think things through, which has led to her getting in trouble several times. As the series progresses, Lei gains more bravery.

## Background

Lei was born on January 1st in Xienzo, Ikhara to Jinn and Soraya. When Lei was around 10 years old, her mother was taken in a raid. Lei and her father had no idea if Soraya was alive or not until Lei discovered that her name was not on the list in the Night House, meaning she was dead. Up until she was 17, Lei worked as an herbalist in her father's shop with Tien. The shop was attacked and Lei was taken to the Hidden Palace to become a Paper Girl. Sometime before or during her childhood, Lei's family adopted Bao, a dog, who was killed when Lei was taken.

## Relationships

### Wren Hanno

Wren Hanno is Lei's girlfriend. The two met at the Hidden Palace when they were Paper Girls. When Lei didn't know her name, she called her Cat-girl. They didn't talk much until Wren was instructed by Madam Chu to help Lei with dancing. While this forces the girls to interact, Wren seems annoyed with Lei. Later, Lei notices Wren sneak off into the woods during nighttime, making her suspicious. The next day, Wren helps Lei and Aoki have time to talk by telling Master Tekoa that there was a "female emergency", showing that while she might be annoyed with Lei, she doesn't hate her. During her first lesson with Zelle, Lei realizes that she has a crush on Wren. She tries to think of her during her first night with The Demon King, but it doesn't work and she runs away from the King instead. During her punishment, Wren brings Lei food to help her with her hunger. Wren tells Lei that she respects her bravery and integrity. For a moment, the two are content, but this moment is ruined when Lei brings up Wren sneaking into the woods. Days later, Lei encounters Wren and Kenzo. Not knowing who Kenzo is and who Wren really is, Lei assumes they are lovers and walks away. Wren hurries after Lei and tells her that they are not in a relationship and "there isn't anyone else". Realizing that this means Wren likes her, the two almost kiss, but Lei rejects her, saying that they can't be together due to the fact that they are Paper Girls and will be in serious trouble. Wren tries to argue with her, reminding Lei that she refused the King and she should make her own choices without worrying about the others. Even though Lei wants to listen and be with Wren, she runs back to Paper House and into her room, upset.

A few days later, Wren brings Lei to Ghost Court and reveals that she is the last remaining member of the Xia. She tells Lei the story of the Xia and says she was adopted by the Hanno's when she was one year old. She then shows Lei that she has written Soraya's, Lei's mother, name on a paper leaf so that Lei can mourn. Lei thanks her and finally accepts that her mother is dead and will never come back. After this, they talk a bit more about Wren's life before returning to Paper House. That night, Lei sneaks into Wren's room, where the two finally have their first kiss. They hear footsteps, and Wren tells Lei that she will visit her tomorrow night before Lei hurries back to her room. The next day, when the Paper Girls attend a performance, there is an attack, and Wren, Aoki, and Lei are forced to escape through a secret passageway. However, a rebel is also there, and has a fight with Wren in an attempt to kill her and the others. Wren easily beats him, showing Lei that she has been training and has not told her everything, which makes her upset. Lei tells Wren that she wants her to tell the truth instead of lying or just not saying anything before walking off. In the morning, while Lei is taking a bath, they talk. Wren admits that she has been trained in secret by her father and Shifu Caen.

Before Lei can say anything, Wren takes off her clothing and climbs into the tub with Lei. Lei is hesitant for a moment, worried that someone will see them, but Wren reassures her, saying that everyone is still asleep and they are hidden by the steam anyways. As they begin to kiss, Blue enters the courtyard, and Wren quickly exits the tub and puts on a bathrobe. However, Blue still appears to have her suspicious about them, though she does not say anything. During the execution of the rebels who attacked during the performance, Lei spots the wolf that she saw Wren with. Wren tells Lei that the wolf is Kenzo Ryu. She also mentions that the Demon King currently does not have a heir, giving him the nickname "The Empty King". For a while, the two meet up many times at night. This makes Lei happier.

## Trivia

* Lei was the last of the Paper Girls to be summoned by the King
* Lei is a Capricorn
* Wren is Lei's first lover
* Lei was the only known Paper Girl to refuse the King