- "My father called me ‘Rabbit,’ and my sisters did, and… it’s who I am."
- ―Rabbit to Olivia
Rabbit is a Hound born to Gabriel and an unnamed human from one of her father's many affairs. He is the half brother to Ani and Tish.
As the product of fae and human, Rabbit is considered a halfling, though he favors his fae heritage. He is considered a Hound. As a Hound, Rabbit possesses the ability to travel between the realms despite the veil being closed off to fae and humans alike. This is due to him possessing wild magic.
Rabbit is the owner of Pins and Needles where he, ironically, is a tattoo artist who works surrounded by metals and steels.
Biography
Early Life
There is not much information available regarding Rabbit. The only known fact is he was born to Gabriel and an unnamed human. In 1994, his younger half sisters, Ani (4) and Tish (6), were brought to him after their mother was murdered by a mysterious fae. He agreed to care for them under the protection of the Dark Court.
Ink Exchange
- Main Article: Ink Exchange
It is revealed that prior to Ink Exchange, Rabbit had designed several tattoos which would act as a connection between a fae and human given the latter were to choose it. This would allow the dark fae to feed on the emotions of the human, though it would leave the human feeling nothing at all. These designs are kept in a locked drawer within his office as Rabbit does not want a unworthy human to tie themselves to the Dark Court.
Rabbit is assisting a customer when Leslie enters Pins and Needles, she casually sifting through the catalogs of images as Rabbit grows increasingly more impatient with the customer who clearly does not want to get a tattoo, but rather inquire about the various practices of the tattoo shop. She eventually calls him over under the guise of needing assistance and the two chat until the other customer leaves. Leslie explains that she truly wishes to obtain a tattoo to "obtain a new beginning" and "forget", though she does not reveal the events she wishes would disappear. Rabbit reluctantly takes Leslie to a locked room and gives her his sketchbook filled with ornate designs that are not available to ordinary customers and, from the pages in front of her, Leslie chooses the ink exchange tattoo designed for the Dark King, Irial. Rabbit asks Leslie if she is positive of her decision and, with little probing, she declares this is the tattoo she desires. They set up an appointment to begin her new ink.
The next evening, Leslie returns and Rabbit begins her tattoo. He methodically creates his set up and, once again, asks Leslie if she is sure of her decision. She continues to insist upon this this tattoo and, without further protest, Rabbit completes the outline of the tattoo. The connection between her and Irial makes her weak and, although she insists on continuing, Rabbit forces her to respect the limits of her body. He bandages Leslie and sends her home with another appointment to continue his work. Rabbit is present when Irial returns several days later and, as needed for the ink exchange, he ties Irial to a chair in a backroom of Pins and Needles before extracting his blood. The process leaves Irial withering in pain, but Rabbit pays no mind as he collects the required blood for his ink. This blood is brought with him to his final appointment with Leslie and, upon completing the tattoo, he makes Leslie comfortable, treating her as if she were his own sister. Rabbit worries about Leslie's health, but is unable to defy his kind.
A few moments after Leslie falls asleep, Rabbit hears a commotion in another room and discovers that Ani, his sister, has begun to feed on Irial. Rabbit muses that he never thought she would go this far, thus revealing to Irial that he was aware she possessed such an ability. Rabbit is upset when Irial tells him that Ani can no longer remain in his care, but accept it as he knows she needs training by full faeries. Rabbit holds Ani and keeps her safe until their father, Gabriel, arrives to take her to the Dark Court.
It is later revealed that Rabbit praised Leslie for her decision to break the ink exchange, though he does not visit her while she is recovering.
Radiant Shadows
- Main Article: Radiant Shadows
In Radiant Shadows, Rabbit meets with his half sisters, Ani and Tish, at Crow's Nest one evening. He is irate with Ani as she failed to inform him of their location, but quickly forgives her as he realizes she meant no harm in her actions. The trio dissolve into the crowd and enjoy the music for a short time before he departs with a human. It is several days before Rabbit sees Ani again. This time she appears in Pins and Needles with worry written on her face, she clearly terrified yet afraid to admit the source of her fear. Rabbit is able to calm her enough to sweep her into their home, he offering her dinner as they await the arrival of the Dark King, Irial. He is unaware that Ani fears for his safety, let alone her secret departure through the window.
Rabbit is placed under the protection of The Hunt, along with Tish, as they take residence inside of Pins and Needles. He does not permit Tish to leave the residence, but after several days, she grows restless and decides to sneak out for a short walk. She is confronted by Bananach while away from the protection of the Dark Court and is, unfortunately, killed in the process. This devastates Rabbit and he quickly finds himself spiraling into a depression. The arrival of Ani does little to quell his sadness. He has little time to mourn as Bananach arrives to kill them all and, in the ensuing scuffle, Irial is fatally wounded. His sacrifice provides Ani, Devlin, Rabbit, and Seth Morgan the opportunity to escape to the Realm of Faerie though. Their arrival is met by the High Queen, Sorcha, who initially brings with her panic as she has a penance for murdering halflings and yet, she chooses to offer Rabbit favor within the High Court. Rabbit accepts her offer and relocates to the Realm of Faerie to remain with Ani in her newly established Shadow Court.
Cotton Candy Skies
- Main Article: Cotton Candy Skies
Approximately two months following the death of Tish, Rabbit is seen mourning her loss. He has trouble painting on days that his grief is strong, but his thoughts are often interrupted by a mysterious woman, Olivia. She informs him that the sky has been painted by a "girl that is two girls" that day and, when he asks her name, she deflects by stating that his name does not fit him. The two paint together for a moment before she leaves.
Later in the day, Rabbit's half sister, Ani, visits him. She is clearly worried about him and admits that she has been since the incident with Bananach, but she does not know how to remedy the situation. Rabbit states that there is nothing different she could do and, while pouring them some iced tea, he notices that it is warm despite the refrigerator working. This causes him some concern and Rabbit quickly searches the home to find no intruders, only the sliding glass door open. It is here where he finds Olivia waiting, she merely smiling at him and stating that she "knew it was somewhere" before leading him back to the kitchen. Olivia greets Ani warmly and offers her the glass of iced tea that Rabbit had previously poured. Devlin arrives before Ani can drink from the glass though and he quickly pours its contents back into the pitcher due to the fact that it contains starlight. This further confuses Rabbit since he had been drinking from his own glass of iced tea, but before he can ask Olivia about its contents, she comments that her studio has arrived before departing to the room that is now connected to the home.
Rabbit follows Olivia to her studio where he confirms that she is now living in his home. It is more a statement than a question and, tentatively, she asks him if he has yet to figure out her name. It is not until he kisses her that Rabbit figures this out and, with a smile, he declare that she is his mate. The two spend the rest of the day together in bliss.
Physical Appearance
Rabbit is a tall, lanky man with hair that is dyed a mixture of blue and white. He, on occasion, grows a small goatee which brings attention to his labret piercing below his lip. Leslie describes Rabbit as having a "smoker's raspy laugh" even though he does not smoke, something that she finds comforting. It has been said on more than one occasion that he has a habit of tilting his head in a "peculiar way, like a dog hearing a new sound."
In Radiant Shadows, Rabbit has grown his goatee and braided it with garnishes of orange. He possesses bone plugs which compliment it in his ears and his clothes are described as "standard thrift store flare" by his half sister, Ani: dark trousers and a mechanic button-up shirt.
Personality
Rabbit is a kind person who truly wants the best for those that he cares about. He is often seen acting protective towards his family and friends, specifically his half sisters, Ani and Tish, as well as his friend Leslie. Rabbit knows that his loyalty lies to the Dark Court overall else, but this does not prevent him from lying by omission to the Dark King, Irial. The ink exchange between Irial and Leslie is something that Rabbit is reluctant to complete and he, on more than one occasion, offers Leslie the opportunity to change the design even if it would anger Irial. Rabbit is also revealed to have kept Ani's ability to feed off both faeries and humans from the Dark King, something that angers him as this could have been a means of preventing the starting of the dark fae. Rabbit feels no remorse when he is callout for his actions, he seeing is as necessary to protect those that he loves.
Rabbit is devastated by the death of his half sister, Tish, and refuses to return to the mortal realm once he realizes she will never return.
Abilities
Rabbit is unique in the sense that he is not an average halfling, he possessing very few features of his fae lineage. His only senses which had been enhanced was his speed and strength, though neither were a fraction of that of the average fae.
Relationships
Ani
Ani and Rabbit have a pseudo-parental relationship. Rabbit was given charge of both Ani and Tish upon the would-be murder of their mother, he taking them into Pins and Needles and raising them as his own children. The pair often comment that Rabbit was the only person who remained constant in their life, he determined to give them a normal human life. He is devastated upon being informed that Ani can no longer remain in his care once she begins to display traits of a Hound, though he actively remains in her life and offers comfort during her times of need. She is one of the few people who he responds to following the death of Tish and, given she is all he has left, Rabbit freely chooses to relocate to the Realm of Faerie to remain by her side, as well as escape the guilt brought on by the death of Tish.
Tish
The relationship between Tish and Rabbit is pseudo-parental. Rabbit was given charge of both Niall and Tish upon the would-be murder of their mother, he taking them into Pins and Needles and raising them as his own children. The pair often comment that Rabbit was the only person who remained constant in their life, he determined to give them a normal human life. The effect that her death had upon him is profound. Rabbit is unable to function normal in the mortal realm and, ultimately, moves to the Realm of Faerie in an attempt to escape his guilt.
Gabriel
Gabriel and Rabbit have a strained relationship as evidenced by the disappointment which Gabriel holds towards Rabbit favoring his human lineage. This, however, does not prevent Gabriel from offering safety within The Hunt and he, along with others under his command, harm anyone who speaks ill of his son. Rabbit is initially angry with Gabriel for his refusal to care for his children and is ultimately tasked with caring for his half sisters, Ani and Tish, which causes more strain on their relationship. He is quick to place blame on Gabriel for the death of Tish and accuses him of failing all his children. The effect that the death of Gabriel had upon him is unknown.
Olivia
The relationship between Olivia and Rabbit is one that has mysterious beginnings. He initially does not know what she means to him, but over time he comes to realize that she is his mate. Olivia loves his unconditionally as seen by her willingness to wait for him for over six centuries prior to his birth alone. Rabbit states that she is the only thing that brought him happiness following the death of his half sister, Tish.
Etymology
The name Rabbit comes from the given name Robert, which is adapted from the Norman personal name Radbode. This latter name is composed of the Germanic elements rad meaning "counsel" or "advice", and bodo meaning "message" or "tidings".
Appearances
Mentioned In
Trivia
- The exact age of Rabbit is unknown, but the following is established:
- In Radiant Shadows, it is established that Rabbit has cared for his half sisters, Ani (4) and Tish (6), for the past fourteen years. He has cared for them since 1994 based upon the current timeline, thereby making Rabbit a minimum of 32 years of age during the events of the aforementioned novel if he was 18 years of age when he began caring for them. That means that Rabbit was born, most likely, no latter than between 1975 and 1976.