Joan gave Garnier a stiff smile- her usual soldier grin. It wasn't delicate or attractive by any means. In fact, it could be considered terrifying to those who didn't know she wasn't mentally deranged. "I'm always careful. Just watch my back. I'll watch yours." She didn't seem to register his last statement as anything more than friendly affection. After all, she didn't want to lose him either. It wasn't unusual. "Four miles shouldn't be too long of a trip assuming it's a straight shot."<br/><br/>She lifted herself over the back of her horse and waited for him to mount up as well before heading out the city gates. From her pocket, she produced a map of the surrounding area and passed it to him. "You've got the lead, Garnier. You remember the way?" She drummed on the front of her saddle as she followed him, straight-backed as always and rather serious-faced. Garnier was possibly one of the only people who could appreciate her tense nature. He never seemed to mind it, and she appreciated it.<br/><br/>Far too many times she'd had people try to 'open her up.' There wasn't anything to open up. She kept her feelings on her sleeves, and had no secrets. All a person had to do was ask a question and she was more than willing to share with them. People just never asked, and her feelings, though not 'hidden,' were strangely conveyed and usually quite selfish. She gazed around at the outer city, wishing that she could get the horses moving faster. Unfortunately, the streets were far too busy with people struggling to make a living.<br/><br/>It bothered her that such low quality of life was permitted this near to the castle, but assumed that there was nothing to be done about it. She glanced sideways at Garnier. He'd grown in situations like this, hadn't he? She wondered if being out among the slums bothered him at all. She had come from a middle-class family, raking in a fair share of money from her late father's position in the royal guard. She had not been wealthy enough to live with nobility, but she'd never had to struggle for a meal while she was at home.<br/><br/>On the field, though, was a totally different story. No one had it good out there, and she imagined that she could somewhat relate to the people around her when it came to such struggles, at least on some level.