Effie and Aurélia are quite reserved although they open up and become much more sociable once they are on familiar ground. They are generally cautious and wary, but this isn't always obvious since they appear cheerful and light-hearted most of the time. However, they are actually quite introverted and tend to keep their problems to themselves. They like to show their best side and hate to bother others with their problems. This could mean that their external appearance contrasts with their true personality and they seem more easy-going than they really are. Whilst they often express themselves with ease and have a gift for oral and written communication; they never reveal themselves entirely, jealously guarding their secret garden. They are deeply emotional creatures, however they tend to supress their feelings and possess such impressive self-mastery that they are sometimes accused of being cold or unfeeling. It can be disconcerting to observe them suddenly disappearing into their shell and hiding from the world, when just a short time earlier they seemed to be having a wonderful time in the company of others. They fluctuate between phases of joy and optimism, and other periods where they are rather pessimistic and defeatist. They often feel torn between their craving for security and stability, and their natural curiosity which can make them quite the social butterfly; between welcoming challenges and appreciating a job well done, and the temptation of an easy life... Because they are extremely sensitive, Effie and Aurélia are easily offended and can be known to take things the wrong way, especially since they lack self-confidence. They tend to hold grudges and have great difficulty forgiving an insult or injury, and it will be even longer before they are able to forget. As children, in order to feel secure they will need to be encouraged to socialise, taught to share and surrounded by affection, to help them shake off their shyness so that it doesn't become a handicap. They are generally very possessive and love collecting things, but don't always like sharing with others...