While someone suddenly speaking to him does startle Shrike, well. The fact that the monster in question is talking is a good sign. And frankly, meeting a weird talking beast in a weird magical forest? Shrike's first assumption is that it's some kind of fay.

Not that he's met a proper fay before, despite his heritage, but he knows the same stories as everyone else. So after his initial freezing up in surprise, he manages to respond mostly calmly, if still nervous and definitely very wary.

"Oh... They--they keep getting close and, um, I don't want to step on one..."

He's definitely rather nervous. Though Naeva might also notice that, while very definitely human, Shrike has an unusual degree of innate magic to him. That, and with magic actually working, the crude enchantment he put on his hood is active, casting his face into shadow.

... Well, more shadow, considering.