The Rye Queen had been outside of the borders upon Askan's arrival. Since the presence of coyotes increased and the arrival of Adelayde's children, the Tainn had taken any chance she could to go outside of the borders to scout out the movement of their rivals. It comforted the woman to know that they were keeping their distance from the Rye border. Jessie did not want to risk the lives of the children. She did not want to risk an injury to any of her members nor did she want to see another death in the family.

As she made her way back over the borders, the monochrome woman inhaled deeply, eyebrows creasing together as she paused, nostrils flaring as she took in an all too familiar scent. One that had well crossed her borders. Jessie was not concerned, along with Askan's scent was that of other members - including one of their newest, Cancer. A part of her felt a bit of pride to know that her members had answered the call so promptly but another part of her wondered how Laike had handled the border encounter, with one of their allies no less. She was quick to follow her former subordinate's scent, a small smile forming on her lips when she realized where his scent was leading.

The younger man's familiar black form came into view and Jessie paused for a moment, watching him. Askan had grown much since he had left the Rye, was happier where he was now, but she would be lying if she said she did not miss his devil-may-care attitude. The woman neared in her approach, emerald eyes surveying the dark man's former den. When she spoke, her voice was soft, "Lots of memories here?" Her gaze trailed to look at the Shallows King, "Everything ok?" The pepper-and-salt colored woman would hate to think that anything happened to the Shallows. Hardly ever did they meet as allies when something did not go amiss.

He took his time in turning to face her - not that it bothered her much anymore. Askan no longer answered to her and there was something almost calming about his laidback aura. Jessie did not bother lifting her banner or squaring her shoulders. They both knew where they stood with one another, there was no need to force it on one another. Instead, she took a seat, her tail curving around her feet. Grey ears were perked forward, pleased to hear that everything was seemingly alright within the Shallows. There hint of a smile on Jessie's lips turning slightly up and eyes crinling. Her voice was soft when she spoke, "Well, I'm glad you're here. It's nice to see a familiar face." With all the new members that joined - while some were familiar - only time would tell how they would fare in the pack.

Having not met up with any of her pack mates before finding Askan, the Rye Queen was not privy to the meeting that occurred at the borders, nor how it had gone, but Jessie supposed it should be promising that the dark man was within the borders currently. The monochrome woman's nostrils woman's flared, more out of amusement than anything else, her eyes communicating as much. "I couldn't have said it better myself." Laike was no Drestig and no one ever would be. Hell, had Askan and Reyes not gone on to found Shallows Edge, it would be the former second at the helm. Hard to imagine how that would have turned out. But they would have made it work, she would like to imagine, somehow. Emerald eyes did not move away from the larger man, her eyebrows creased together as if in distress, "I am very sorry. For not listening to you while you lived here. Your thoughts should have mattered and I just shot you down time and again. That was so wrong of me and I should have apologized much sooner."

Ears were folded back on the Queen's head. It was a regret that had been building up since Shallow's couple had left. One she had come to acknowledge and tried to be better with. Apologizes were not really Jessie's forte, having felt she was always doing the right thing, but she hoped this time she was mending what little remained of what little they had. After all, they were allies and sometimes it was easier to be allies with those you considered to be friends. Or family, in some cases.

Something uncomfortable twisted in the Rye Queen's stomach. Nervousness. Jessie never had to really worried about being rejected but the thought of Askan denying her apology and throwing it back in her face was a very real fear that the monochome woman did not want to face. She was not expecting for the dark man to be speechless. It was something she had never experienced but she took it as a sign that she had done something right, unexpected. As he spoke, she felt a warm feeling settle in her chest. Not finding the proper words to respond, she smiled, eyes crinkling and lighting up.

Grey ears perked forward at the mention of the Rye couple - the couple that was having pups this season. Emerald eyes peered over at her former Second, a small smile on her lips. When she spoke, her voice was softer, "As long as they're happy, that's what matters, right?" The woman turned to look at the man next to her. After all, that's why Askan and Reyes left right? To be happy. Now, there was a tinge of sadness in the Rye Queen's gaze. The pepper-and-salt colored woman never felt like she would be happy ever again, not with Drestig gone. Both of her loves were gone but Jessie needed to do her best to remember those who remained.

After Askan grumbled his agreements, they lapsed into silence. It wasn't until her dark companion spoke again did Jessie's ears swivel forward, emerald eyes focusing back on him. Eyebrows pulled together in confusion, hurt that the thought would even cross his mind. While she wasn't the best leader, she did her best and was trying to be better. It took the Rye Queen a moment to realise that there was maybe something beneath the surface. Jessie relaxed, voice light when she spoke, "Are you worried about me, Askan?" Her tail wagged slightly behind her but a small frown was forming on the woman's lips. While the former Second made a good point, the Tainn trusted Adelayde, who had been there since the beginning, much like Askan had.

The Rye Queen's voice was more somber, "Her time will come soon and I'm sure she knows that. I'm not getting any younger." Whether it be by her nautral death or a freak accident, Jessie had no doubts that Adelayde would be the one to succeed her and perhaps Sphinx afterwards, to continue the Avalon legacy, just as Drestig would have wished it. The monochrome woman's jaw was tight as she thought about the future of the Rye. The future of her children. One of which was no longer in the Fields. "How is Percy?" Her voice was much softer now. Percy and Jessie were never close but the mother still loved the girl with all her heart.

Askan's reaction was subtle, but Jessie noticed it - probably due to their time together mostly being nonchalant. Death could be a hard topic could aknowledge but the more prepared for it you were, the less it hurt. At least, that's what Jessie tried to tell herself. She had yet to experience it. Jessie offered a soft smile to Askan, his words touching her heart. She truly never expected them to be able to mend anything but now that they were building their bridges back, she felt a sense of accomplishment. The woman nodded her head to the man in thanks. It was nice to know that even though Askan was no longer by her side in ranks he still had her back in spirit.

Though her position in the pack was surely important, their conversation took a turn to a more serious note - her daughter. The monochrome woman's ears cupped forward to take in what the Edge Lord was saying. It sounded like any other phase for the age that Percy was, but Jessie could not help but be worried. Her daughter was in capable paws though and the Tainn doubted she would trust anyone else to take care of her first child. Jessie's lips pulled down into a frown but her eyes were grateful when she spoke, "I'm glad that she's doing well there. I wouldn't want her anywhere else." Except maybe here. "I just want her to be happy." The woman's tail swayed behind her, a yawn threatening to escape behind her jaws. "You're welcome to rest here as long as you need to. The caches are also open to you, but I think it's time I got some sleep as well." She still needed to find a prey trail but she wandered how much luck she was going to have with the coyotes roaming about.