[ Claire has some reservations, things that John can opt to explain should he ever feel the need to. That part isn't up to her. There isn't much that's more personal than hearing her separation from Jamie; it's the most emotional pain she's ever been in and can still feel it keenly. With Geralt hearing that, the rest doesn't feel so intimate. ]

Then you know those shoes are bloody uncomfortable, and you can never quite break them in. I'm sorry you've had to. It's uncomfortable, to say the very least. And that moment you heard...

[ Glancing back at the denser part of the woods, she lets herself feel that panic from two decades ago, just for a moment. ]

...I'd thought I could change history, stop the war altogether and keep any of that from happening. It sounds ridiculously naive now.

[ After a moment of consideration, since they've only just met, she decides to ask, lightly: ]

Have you worn those shoes recently?