Soul Thief

Irene had found a baby rabbit on Earth. She held it tightly in her hands, brought it to Oberon's Domain.

The rabbit was grey with white markings and long, floppy ears. It was curled close to itself in Irene's palms.

Oberon said, It is a rabbit.

Irene said, "Yes. His mother died. He was the only baby she had."

Such is life, said Oberon.

"What shall we name him?"

Well, he is very strong, surviving this far. He needs a strong name as well. Like Nicolai.

Irene giggled. "That name is bigger than he is! Why not Foo-Foo?"

Foo-Foo? said Oberon.

"It's cute, Oberon."

It may be, but rabbits are often meals for foxes and wolves. Nicolai shall not face the same fate.

Irene smiled and kissed Oberon's cheek.

"Nicolai Foo-Foo," she said.

Now that is preposterous.

"You're impossible, Oberon."

I am not impossible, merely inevitable.

Oberon was growing keen with humor, because humor meant Irene would laugh. And all the birds she created could never laugh the sweet sound she could.

Nicolai was a sturdy rabbit and Oberon kept him with him in his robe.

The rabbit would later jump from Oberon's shoulders when Oberon was severing souls.

Nicolai, Oberon would call. And the rabbit would come running. He was more like a dog, this Nicolai. It must have been Irene's magic.

Oberon admired this rabbit.