Lacie

**Lacie** is the protagonist in chapter 1 of *Paper Lily*. She's a quiet and insecure girl who doesn't talk much and does not often get involved actively with other people. After suffering a horrible strings of bad luck, Lacie receives a mysterious golden letter that takes her to another world, where she embarks on a quest to find a cure for her abnormal condition.

## **Personality**

Lacie is a generally gloomy and insecure girl who is incapable of dealing with a lot of the time. She is constantly plagued by misfortune and is often insulted by those around her. As a result, she suffers from her overwhelming sense of self-doubt, and she appears emotionless, wearing a blank expression and speaking in a dull manner. In addition, Lacie is excessively self-depreciating, blaming herself for her existence, believing that the ritual is a means to escape from her comfort zone, as she thought life would be better without the people around her. However, her perception changed when Rune explained that her curse was the reason behind her ridicule and that she needed to reach the lighthouse where Red can get rid of her curse.

Determined, Lacie demonstrates her ability to grow and mature by forming relationships with those she encounters. Their openness to new information and ability to adapt to new situations greatly help Lacie navigate various challenges. However, after being accompanied by *Sai,* she initially did not trust him because she suspected him to be a "suspicious" individual and treated him as if he was clingy all the time. She even completely ignores Sai if he asks her a question she doesn’t want to answer, particularly about her discoveries and her depressing list of "things to do before you die".

Eventually, when they arrive at Miss Knives' Home after Sai helps her overcome various obstacles, Lacie gradually becomes more confident and caring when finally reveals her, not only her name, but her backstory to Sai and expresses gratitude for his unwavering support whenever she needs it. Also, she expresses sadness over Miss Knives' tragic backstory, pointing out that she mistakes her for Lilith (the one who had given Miss Knives her blessings that turned into curses in the first place)

## **Appearance**

Lacie is a young girl with a short height. She has light skin, blue eyes, and long blonde hair that reaches her waist. She wears a red scarf, black bow and a white jacket with pink sleeves and pockets, under which she wears a black school uniform with a red tie.

## Quotes

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> > **Lacie**: The first item in a to-do list is always the hardest one the cross off. If we could just get one item done, the rest would surely follow. We just need to start. That's why some people find the easiest item first, and start from there. It gives them a better change at getting something done.
> > This is because setting things in motion is difficult. Choosing to do homework is difficult. Chossing to clean your room is difficult. Choosing to get out of bed is difficult. Change is uncomfortable. It's always easier to leave things the way they are. To let the flow carry you. Until you reach a point where doing nothing does more damage than doing anything. When this happens, change is no longer a choice. walks straight to her bed and collapses a consequence. Is that also a choice? The choice to do nothing?
> >
> > Lacie first words in the beginning
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> > **Lacie**: Aahh.. finally! [walks straight to her bed and collapses] Ughh... why is life on such a high difficulty setting... Maybe I'll just nap this day away.[closes her eyes and goes to sleep, opening them right afterward] Nonono what am I saying? I have things to do. Especially after today's experience... It's clear that there's no other way to move forward. Sigh... Alright, let's not waste time.[walks to her table and holds her ritual note] This letter... is the real deal is isn't it? Just holding it makes me nervous. I still can't believe it actually arrived. On the forums, some people waited for months and it never came. But for me, it only took a day. This isn't my first ritual but... It's my first time getting intentionally spirited away.
> >
> > Lacie surprised to see that the ritual note was arrived
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> > **Lacie**: What would my parents think right now? Their daughter is on a bus headed straight towards certain death. It's hard to say this but... they would be happier without me. Even if I die on this trip, life will be better for them... and Hiro. Doing this ritual was the right choice. Whether I make it or fail... whether the Lacie everyone knows disappears or a different Lacie makes it home... everyone wins. In my mind, I went through everything I knew about this ritual. Then I remembered the words from a forum post. The letter said that the bus would simply take me to my destination - but that person was very insistent on not letting that happen. The user that posted it has a big reputation in that forum, so their words probably had some merit to them. But... won't I be breaking the rules if I don that...? Also, what if the bus never stops? I can't just jump out the window, right?
> >
> > Lacie contemplates the consequences of her choice, reflecting on the potential impact on her parents and everyone around her while questioning the validity of a forum post warning against going through with the ritual
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> > **Lacie**: (I've only been here for a little while and I already have a lead. I really didn't think this would be where I might find my answers...)
> > Finally... A curse, huh? it sounds probable, but how did it happen? And who... or what cursed me? And why? There's too many questions.
> >
> > Lacie was surprised to find potential answers and wonders how the curse came to be and who or what is responsible for cursing her
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> > **Lacie**: It's possible I may be... possessed. No... I'm definitely either possessed or cursed. It's been like this since I was little. Back then, I used to think I have a black cloud that just follows me everywhere. It makes people run away from me, it makes them hate me. They always have this terrifying look when they look at me... Sometimes it turns into hatred, or anger. With animals, it's even worse. Dogs will bark at me, and I can't even get close enough to pet a cat... Or, today, I tried buying something at the store - and failed horribly. I hate that can't even do something as simple as that. It's like... just being around me makes people tense and aggressive. But.. I know for a fact that it wasn't always like this. I have memories of my childhood where things were fine. Something must have changed at some point. And then, everyone suddenly started acting differently with me. For a really long time, I thought it was my fault. I thought that maybe I'm just broken, and different. I thought i did something wrong... I thought people had a reason to hate me so much. I know better now... but that doesn't change how it feels. This.. thing inside me... whatever it is... It's isolating me form everyone. Even my parents hate being around me. They leave the house for weeks at a time, and make excuses if I ask to come along. My brother is the only one who's there for me every time. And I know how hard it is for him. But somehow he never falters. Without him I... I've been trying to get better for so long... So this ritual is... well... it's my last hope. If I fail to find answers, then I'll probably give up... on everything. I can't bear to live like this anymore.
> >
> > Lacie shares with Sai the reason behind the ritual and her backstory
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