Howl's immediate reaction is to blink, confused, and say nothing. "Rude"? What was rude? Asking his name? What's so rude about asking someone's name? After another moment, it occurs to him what he might've really been saying, but what a silly name if that's the case.

"Your name is Rude?" he asks, unable to hide the disbelief in his voice. "Is that a joke?"