The Scissors' Hidden Purpose *THEORY*

[Larry55]

Hi I'm Larry, not the usual crazy theorist but I'm filling in for RAV today. My 4am brain has concocted a delicious theory stew for you all to enjoy.

So, an interesting motif throughout paper lily are strings, specifically red ones. In both paper lily and project Kat, the title screen has the protagonist tangled up in red strings, a red string is a component of Lacie's ritual and Lacie has a red scarf around her neck, perhaps symbolic of a leash (we'll come back to this idea later).

The devs often take inspiration from East Asian culture and stories, one such story is the story of the red string of fate, where two people connected by a red thread are destined lovers, regardless of place, time, or circumstances. I believe that the devs have implemented a twisted version of this story where Lacie is unwittingly pulled by some malevolent force.

The red strings in the title screens are directed upwards, reminiscent of puppet strings and the idea from before of the scarf resembling a leash, both symbols of control, both connected to Lacie. If we assume the red strings influence Lacie and Kat, then it makes sense why there are true endings to both games; the string is pulling them to that outcome. The string valuing a specific ending suggests that there's a will and/or motive behind its choices. I believe this force to be the ex-council member Lilith. Kett and Rune both recognize something familiar in Lacie's scent which is confirmed to be Lilith by Miss Knives. MK also seems to have suffered the same curse as Lacie after having met Lilith. As for how she can control Lacie's fate, I believe Rune gives us a hint by telling Lacie "possession is an outdated concept" soon after bringing up Lacie's smell. That's right, Lilith could be possessing Lacie to fulfil her goals of revenge?/evil plans?/genuine concerns for Lacie's wellbeing? after she was killed?/banished?/imprisoned? by the council. Whatever the case, it's clear she needs Lacie alive for now.

But then is Lacie just resigned to a fate controlled by Lilith's whims for the rest of her (probably short) life? Well, as the devs would say, "there's always another way". Here's the meat of the theory. In the train station's basement lies a pair of scissors, a common use being to cut strings. In fact, they can even be used to cut wires to progress past the daylight gate. Lacie gets an ominous feeling when picking them up, but it's because Lilith is trying to stop her from escaping her influence. I believe these scissors are the key that can help Lacie escape her prison of fate. One part of the story that doesn't affect the true ending is rescuing Aoi from the fairy ring using the scissors, possibly causing a knock-on effect in later chapters now that Aoi is Lacie's ally and could play a big role in freeing Lacie in the future.

[MainRed]

《改名了》

[¤RAV¤ Jesus]

It was a great read :D , also 10/10 title xD
I like the idea of the scissors being used to cut the strings of fate , where i disagree on is that Lilith is the one pulling the strings because as you said the game's motto is "there is always another way" however it's Lilith herself that speaks these words in the garden in Project Kat ( most likely ).
The fate symbolism is more connected to Hiro with the magpie poem who's purpose is to predict your fate.
Still i don't think Hiro is a Demon , so for now my headcanon is that a brand new character will be shown as a the one pulling the strings of fate

[Velorien]

Originally posted by Larry55:

Hi I'm Larry, not the usual crazy theorist but I'm filling in for RAV today. My 4am brain has concocted a delicious theory stew for you all to enjoy.

So, an interesting motif throughout paper lily are strings, specifically red ones. In both paper lily and project Kat, the title screen has the protagonist tangled up in red strings, a red string is a component of Lacie's ritual and Lacie has a red scarf around her neck, perhaps symbolic of a leash (we'll come back to this idea later).

The devs often take inspiration from East Asian culture and stories, one such story is the story of the red string of fate, where two people connected by a red thread are destined lovers, regardless of place, time, or circumstances. I believe that the devs have implemented a twisted version of this story where Lacie is unwittingly pulled by some malevolent force.

The red strings in the title screens are directed upwards, reminiscent of puppet strings and the idea from before of the scarf resembling a leash, both symbols of control, both connected to Lacie. If we assume the red strings influence Lacie and Kat, then it makes sense why there are true endings to both games; the string is pulling them to that outcome. The string valuing a specific ending suggests that there's a will and/or motive behind its choices. I believe this force to be the ex-council member Lilith. Kett and Rune both recognize something familiar in Lacie's scent which is confirmed to be Lilith by Miss Knives. MK also seems to have suffered the same curse as Lacie after having met Lilith. As for how she can control Lacie's fate, I believe Rune gives us a hint by telling Lacie "possession is an outdated concept" soon after bringing up Lacie's smell. That's right, Lilith could be possessing Lacie to fulfil her goals of revenge?/evil plans?/genuine concerns for Lacie's wellbeing? after she was killed?/banished?/imprisoned? by the council. Whatever the case, it's clear she needs Lacie alive for now.

But then is Lacie just resigned to a fate controlled by Lilith's whims for the rest of her (probably short) life? Well, as the devs would say, "there's always another way". Here's the meat of the theory. In the train station's basement lies a pair of scissors, a common use being to cut strings. In fact, they can even be used to cut wires to progress past the daylight gate. Lacie gets an ominous feeling when picking them up, but it's because Lilith is trying to stop her from escaping her influence. I believe these scissors are the key that can help Lacie escape her prison of fate. One part of the story that doesn't affect the true ending is rescuing Aoi from the fairy ring using the scissors, possibly causing a knock-on effect in later chapters now that Aoi is Lacie's ally and could play a big role in freeing Lacie in the future.

A nice and well-expressed theory. However, I don't think the optional rescue of Aoi can be part of freeing Lacie in the future. What happens to people who have save files where Aoi wasn't rescued? Do they just get locked out of a good ending forever?

[¤RAV¤ Jesus]

Originally posted by Velorien:

Originally posted by Larry55:

Hi I'm Larry, not the usual crazy theorist but I'm filling in for RAV today. My 4am brain has concocted a delicious theory stew for you all to enjoy.

So, an interesting motif throughout paper lily are strings, specifically red ones. In both paper lily and project Kat, the title screen has the protagonist tangled up in red strings, a red string is a component of Lacie's ritual and Lacie has a red scarf around her neck, perhaps symbolic of a leash (we'll come back to this idea later).

The devs often take inspiration from East Asian culture and stories, one such story is the story of the red string of fate, where two people connected by a red thread are destined lovers, regardless of place, time, or circumstances. I believe that the devs have implemented a twisted version of this story where Lacie is unwittingly pulled by some malevolent force.

The red strings in the title screens are directed upwards, reminiscent of puppet strings and the idea from before of the scarf resembling a leash, both symbols of control, both connected to Lacie. If we assume the red strings influence Lacie and Kat, then it makes sense why there are true endings to both games; the string is pulling them to that outcome. The string valuing a specific ending suggests that there's a will and/or motive behind its choices. I believe this force to be the ex-council member Lilith. Kett and Rune both recognize something familiar in Lacie's scent which is confirmed to be Lilith by Miss Knives. MK also seems to have suffered the same curse as Lacie after having met Lilith. As for how she can control Lacie's fate, I believe Rune gives us a hint by telling Lacie "possession is an outdated concept" soon after bringing up Lacie's smell. That's right, Lilith could be possessing Lacie to fulfil her goals of revenge?/evil plans?/genuine concerns for Lacie's wellbeing? after she was killed?/banished?/imprisoned? by the council. Whatever the case, it's clear she needs Lacie alive for now.

But then is Lacie just resigned to a fate controlled by Lilith's whims for the rest of her (probably short) life? Well, as the devs would say, "there's always another way". Here's the meat of the theory. In the train station's basement lies a pair of scissors, a common use being to cut strings. In fact, they can even be used to cut wires to progress past the daylight gate. Lacie gets an ominous feeling when picking them up, but it's because Lilith is trying to stop her from escaping her influence. I believe these scissors are the key that can help Lacie escape her prison of fate. One part of the story that doesn't affect the true ending is rescuing Aoi from the fairy ring using the scissors, possibly causing a knock-on effect in later chapters now that Aoi is Lacie's ally and could play a big role in freeing Lacie in the future.

A nice and well-expressed theory. However, I don't think the optional rescue of Aoi can be part of freeing Lacie in the future. What happens to people who have save files where Aoi wasn't rescued? Do they just get locked out of a good ending forever?

I could see a new pair of Scissors popping up , we could get something like 7 Legendary Scissors lol
In fact i think Wendy most likely have her own pair of scissors because Aoi says that she has a Sewing Kit so we get as least 2 i think.

[Larry55]

Originally posted by Velorien:

Originally posted by Larry55:

Hi I'm Larry, not the usual crazy theorist but I'm filling in for RAV today. My 4am brain has concocted a delicious theory stew for you all to enjoy.

So, an interesting motif throughout paper lily are strings, specifically red ones. In both paper lily and project Kat, the title screen has the protagonist tangled up in red strings, a red string is a component of Lacie's ritual and Lacie has a red scarf around her neck, perhaps symbolic of a leash (we'll come back to this idea later).

The devs often take inspiration from East Asian culture and stories, one such story is the story of the red string of fate, where two people connected by a red thread are destined lovers, regardless of place, time, or circumstances. I believe that the devs have implemented a twisted version of this story where Lacie is unwittingly pulled by some malevolent force.

The red strings in the title screens are directed upwards, reminiscent of puppet strings and the idea from before of the scarf resembling a leash, both symbols of control, both connected to Lacie. If we assume the red strings influence Lacie and Kat, then it makes sense why there are true endings to both games; the string is pulling them to that outcome. The string valuing a specific ending suggests that there's a will and/or motive behind its choices. I believe this force to be the ex-council member Lilith. Kett and Rune both recognize something familiar in Lacie's scent which is confirmed to be Lilith by Miss Knives. MK also seems to have suffered the same curse as Lacie after having met Lilith. As for how she can control Lacie's fate, I believe Rune gives us a hint by telling Lacie "possession is an outdated concept" soon after bringing up Lacie's smell. That's right, Lilith could be possessing Lacie to fulfil her goals of revenge?/evil plans?/genuine concerns for Lacie's wellbeing? after she was killed?/banished?/imprisoned? by the council. Whatever the case, it's clear she needs Lacie alive for now.

But then is Lacie just resigned to a fate controlled by Lilith's whims for the rest of her (probably short) life? Well, as the devs would say, "there's always another way". Here's the meat of the theory. In the train station's basement lies a pair of scissors, a common use being to cut strings. In fact, they can even be used to cut wires to progress past the daylight gate. Lacie gets an ominous feeling when picking them up, but it's because Lilith is trying to stop her from escaping her influence. I believe these scissors are the key that can help Lacie escape her prison of fate. One part of the story that doesn't affect the true ending is rescuing Aoi from the fairy ring using the scissors, possibly causing a knock-on effect in later chapters now that Aoi is Lacie's ally and could play a big role in freeing Lacie in the future.

A nice and well-expressed theory. However, I don't think the optional rescue of Aoi can be part of freeing Lacie in the future. What happens to people who have save files where Aoi wasn't rescued? Do they just get locked out of a good ending forever?

I think it's possible to get a good end without having Lacie break free from the strings, after all their goals seem aligned, but I think using the scissors will eventually lead to an optional confrontation with Lilith.

[Larry55]

Originally posted by ¤RAV¤ Jesus:

It was a great read :D , also 10/10 title xD
I like the idea of the scissors being used to cut the strings of fate , where i disagree on is that Lilith is the one pulling the strings because as you said the game's motto is "there is always another way" however it's Lilith herself that speaks these words in the garden in Project Kat ( most likely ).
The fate symbolism is more connected to Hiro with the magpie poem who's purpose is to predict your fate.
Still i don't think Hiro is a Demon , so for now my headcanon is that a brand new character will be shown as a the one pulling the strings of fate

Thanks! Really enjoyed writing it! (might do another?)
Yeah while I do think Lilith's the best guess right now, I'll admit there's some weird stuff going on with Hiro. The scene in the bathroom where he briefly tries to convince Lacie to go for the dead end where Sai's abandoned might suggest there's another entity trying to derail the red string. In that case we'd have a three-way tug of war between Lacie, the string, and the contrarian over control of Lacie's decisions

[SunshineBrule]

I love reading these therios and every time I do all I think is "this is exactly why matpat needs to come back because we just have so many theories for this game like man you need to come back"

[Kanarek]

Interesting read, I appreciate it. However, I'm posting because...

Originally posted by Larry55:

In the train station's basement lies a pair of scissors, a common use being to cut strings. In fact, they can even be used to cut wires to progress past the daylight gate.

I didn't even know of the existence of this item when I was dealing with the (annoying) puzzle, I found them later on. Good to know there's an easy and clever (and quite obvious) solution for that on my planned second playthrough (to get 100% completion). I managed to solve the puzzle on my own though.
Thank you for accidentally enlightening me on this matter. :)

I'm not complaining about the puzzles in this game, they are a breath of fresh air for me, especially the fuse box one. I'm glad there are "old-fashioned" modern games out there, for example Paper Lily, Persona 5 Strikers, or particularly retro Spooky's Jumpscare Mansion (also free on Steam like Paper Lily).

Originally posted by Larry55:

Thanks! Really enjoyed writing it! (might do another?)

I'm a writer myself and would encourage you to feel free to continue your creative endeavours. :)