Daffodil

• Overview
Daffodil has the mannerisms, intelligence, and size of an average rat. She doesn't understand what she is or why certain things happen, though she doesn't appear to really care, either. She mostly spends her days wandering aimlessly, exploring, collecting interesting and shiny items, and pestering anyone or anything unlucky enough to come across her. She can telepathically project her feelings as well as sense those of other esk, but she cannot talk or understand much of language apart from her name and a few familiar words. When spoken to, she may understand the intent and emotion, but not specifically what is being said (and most likely will play dumb and ignore it anyway).

• Encounters
Despite not giving much thought to her own existence, Daffodil is adamantly curious about all other esk and will hassle them relentlessly. At first, most esk will find her antics endearing and willingly engage in her playful behavior. Soon enough however, she'll be pulling their hair and nature features, attempting to steal their enchantments or familiars, clambering and digging all over them, shoving and having no concept of personal boundaries, and generally being an insufferable menace. This activity can go on for hours or even days with no sign of slowing down - much to the exasperation of her targets. Just when her victims seem to be at the end of their rope, ready to yell or stomp or punish her in an attempt to be left alone, she'll revert back to an adorable ball of fluff, full of innocence and sweetness! You can't really be mad at her, can you? She was just trying to have fun, how could you punish a poor little esk who doesn't know any better?
To most, this ploy works flawlessly in Daffodil's favor, and she'll be off again to seduce the next unsuspecting esk with her cuteness. If her target is more forceful or menacing however, it is not that difficult to frighten Daffodil or scare her away, but most don't have the heart to be cruel towards her.

• Boundary
Her boundary is that of a dilapidated old florist shop, crumbling and abandoned among a row of similar buildings and streets that have since been forgotten by the developed world. Daffodil comes and goes as she pleases, usually undisturbed except for the occasional wandering wildlife. She considers her boundary her "home" and she often returns there to rest or add to her growing collections of paraphernalia; but she just as quickly becomes restless and bored there, longing to hurry off onto the next adventure. A rat's fast-paced demeanor is usually capped by their short lifespan, but Daffodil's extended existence has filled her with a hollow "wanting" of something she doesn't quite understand how to cope with, and thus her meager attempts to gather material objects combined with no esk having the fortitude to put up with her for very long, can leave her somewhat frustrated.

• Inspiration
Daffodil is a character based on my real life pet rat, "Sook" Suki.
Sook was an unstoppable force of trouble and mayhem, who could shift flawlessly into the sweetest little thing the very moment she sensed she was getting on your nerves. She was perfect at detecting the crucial point where she was about to get in trouble, and was so adept at playing the "adorable" card that it was impossible to scold her. She operated always at the extreme. Because of this, she could get away with pretty much anything.
Mischievous behavior included:
- Chewing holes in clothes and blankets
- Leaping outside the cage and running around the living room unsupervised
- Never sleeping, just running rambunctious 24/7
- Bothering the other rats and waking them up while they were trying to sleep or eat
- Staring you directly in the eyes while doing something you just told her not to do
What a terrible, brat child. Feel free to use these photos of real-life Daffodil for inspiration & reference: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1w2CqbioydA-S7Ve86bMtczVxuMiQ-d5n
Special note: Suki passed away very suddenly in January of 2019, at only a year old, due to undiagnosed medical complications. Please take care to write/draw Daffodil respectfully.