At some five decades older than the shy boy hiding in the mountains, Shrike has learned to be less touchy about his appearance. It doesn't mean it isn't a sore point, exactly, but that he is fayblood is an indisputable and very obvious fact, and there's little point in getting worked up when people point out the obvious. Being told what he thinks is yet another 'all you fayblood look alike' however, is a little more likely to earn his ire.

That said, he most definitely hears what the other man says to the oversized rat and, well, to say he's surprised is probably an understatement. Certainly whatever veneer of composure he'd been trying to maintain gives way to a downright startled look.

"You--what did you just say?"