That most certainly is a very large purple... rodent. Honestly, even calling it a 'rat' feels a bit of a stretch, as the creature looks more like a child's attempt at drawing a rat than a real one.

But more to the point is what the blond man just so casually demonstrated. Summoning forth a creature from a ball a fraction of its size is no ordinary feat, yet it was clearly done without even any thought to the matter, as easily as opening a book. That more than anything Shrike finds telling; there's something deeply convincing about someone performing an action they find mundane and everyday yet ought to be utterly impossible, more than any possible explanation.

Not to mention, he sensed no magic at work at all, a further proof that he truly has somehow found himself in a strange, unknown land.

"... I see." He does, at least, look a bit more thoughtful now, though there's still an undercurrent of wariness born of concern. He does have someplace he'd very much like to get back to, after all. "And you come by such companions from some sort of madwoman...?"

But for the lack of magical power present, he'd be inclined to assume some manner of fay.