Effie was more than a little nervous; she'd never ask her rats to hide (unless there was a good reason, such as a potential threat to their safety), but at the same time, it had been more than a little difficult for her to stand being turned away time and time again because of her affinity for them. They were just as good as people, in Effie's eyes, and far cleaner than some of the fairies Effie had seen around town, but... They seemed to give some people the creeps, for some reason. In her lonelier moments she'd even wished, quietly, where no one could hear and be hurt by it, that her affinity had been for something more... well, normal. Her aunt Cypress' obsession with her canines wasn't always met with kindness, sure, but most people seemed to at least sort of understand where she was coming from.
All that worry seemed to disappear in a puff of smoke as soon as one of the girls rushed forward, even calling her rats cute. Effie's smile showed her relief, and her warmth, as she moved slightly to the side to give Milena a better look at her companions.
"It's okay!" Effie replied to the other girl, her smile growing slightly more shy as she held out her hands and shook her head in polite refusal of their offer to share. "I just ate, but thanks for offering. These are my friends." She looked down at the array of rats. "Say hello, everyone."
"Hello!" peeped Sephy, waving one pink paw in the girls' direction.
"Telles belles filles! C'est un plaisir de vous rencontrer tous les deux!" added Enzo.
"Um, he says it's nice to meet you," Effie translated. "This is Enzo, and she's Sephy, and the others" - she pointed them out as she went - "are Munch, Shimmer, Emmy, and the sleepy one is Lola. This little one doesn't have a name yet." She patted her newest arrival. "Oh, and my familiar is the big curly one, he hasn't picked his name yet either."
She fidgeted a second, unsure of herself, and then smiled shyly at the girls again. "Would you guys... like to hold one of them?"
Sephy cleared her throat, making Effie startle slightly and blush. "Oh, that's right! I'm sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Effie. It's really nice to meet you guys!"
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