A large head is butted gently against her stomach in response. Yes, he still understands. The bear is always present when he's human and the human is always present when he's bear.

Asbjørn circles around Ruby, a protective gesture rather than a predatory one, smelling the smells of the forest, of other animals and humans or humanoids. Satisfied, he nudges her side with his own. Which is the closest equivalent he's got to direct her to hop on.