'Something belonging to that Count guy' would, unfortunately, be very accurate. It's just that something is disinclined to ever return to that particular faerie. Regardless, there's really only so long Childermass can drag this out for without actually scaring Shima off into running and he thinks they've about hit that point.

Still looming, the creature's form gives an unnatural shudder and then changes. It's all a flicker of shadows and movement, the transformation itself happening quickly enough that there's no real need to dread how awful it would look to go from bird to human again.

It leaves Childermass with one foot casually propped up on the log, lowering his arms and tilting his head at Shima in a somewhat curious motion, as if he has no damn idea why he would ever be worried.

"Why, I was only saying hello, Mr. Shima. What in the world would make you think there would be a fight?"