The hesitation and lack of immediate response from Jessie did not dampen the current feeling of deja vu. If anything, it seemed to reinforce it. As if it was in agreement with whatever half dredged memory Iopah was trying to recall. She let the quiet play out and followed Jessie's gaze. The woman was taking another, longer, glance at her and Iopah's gaze traced patiently after that back-and-forth searching expression. Perhaps the other woman was trying to pull up the same memory as her?

She shifted, attention re-directing, to meet the woman's emerald eyes at the sound of her own name. Pale ears pressed softly to her skull before twisting back again. Iopah met the expectant expression with a slight cocking of her head. It wasn't that she didn't want to answer or had any consideration of being untruthful, but she had to shield the wolves that traveled with her. Iopah was not sure how the rest of Oak Tree Bend felt about Zia's departure or about her changed allegiance. "You are," She answered in an even, placating tone. Her tail circled round her ankles, the gray tip restlessly stirring in the ferns. Trust could only be given if it was offered. "A wolf left your pack and joined mine. She told me what happened." The Reinier woman let an appraising gaze travel them both. Iopah did not want to argue with either, but if they wanted Zia back, she would do much more than argue. There would only be an issue if they created it.

Iopah was not perceptive to the subtle nuances of speech. She took Drestig's statement at face-value, picking up none of his sarcasm and taking his smile as out-right friendliness. She nodded agreeably, a gesture that was cut-short at the mention of the gray-and-white woman's name. Her head snapped around, remembering the winter in her face the day the woman had briefly given her name. "The blackberry field..." She murmured softly, feeling a pang of sadness. It seemed like ages ago, even more so that she could never stand in that field again. "You helped me."

"I left that land and crossed the mountain at the end of winter." Her stance straightened, eyes flicking to Jessie as she gave the proper introduction neither had time for two years ago. "I'm Iopah Reinier. My group will not be able to travel for much farther," The rounding of her sides was all the validation that statement seemed to need. "They are enemies to us as well. We came from the south and you are the only wolves I've scented so far."

Whatever she'd said to cause the lip curl and that brief twinkle of amusement was lost on her. The Reinier thought back to her earlier words and could not pick up on the slight, spoken nuances that the others had. If they were taking offense at Zia, then there was nothing that could be done. The Celencio woman had shown nothing but loyalty, and in return Iopah was going show the same level of loyalty. @Zia was under her protection now and she had no intention of handing the woman over. All Iopah could do right now was watch their body language and wait for whatever would come of their irritation. Jessie spoke up and Iopah turned her gaze at the soft voice. A pale ear swung forward in a delicate and hopeful gesture. Certainly she did not want this to go sour, not when so many depended on her. "And you," She offered back freely, remembering now how thin and how alone the Tainn woman had been that winter day. She listened to Jessie speak further, giving a relaxed smile at Drestig's nod.

"I will try to put as much space between our packs." Even as she said it, the enceinte woman realized this encounter was coming to an end. Her stomach was growing by the day. She had to make good use of the few weeks she had left. With a faint exhale the woman carefully shook her coat out, stretching pale toes into the earth. "I should go now." Gaze held low, she nodded to each in acknowledgement. The ferns skimmed a wide belly as she followed her path back. Iopah looked back one last time, wondering how they would meet again, and disappeared from sight.