[ While there generally aren't bandits where Steve is from, at least not in his part of the world, street criminals are common enough. While most of them might be acting out of desperation rather than anything else, when violence comes into the equation it becomes a problem. Still, he and Sephiroth had opted to help out the injured man they'd come across during their travel to the Solvunn border even though both of them had suspected he was a bandit of some sort. It's a complicated issue, especially now with unrest mounting and so many people in Libertas without homes. ]

Yeah, it seems like it's only becoming more dangerous in recent weeks. [ He doesn't delve too deeply into the why of it, figuring that Claude knows most of the specifics both from experiences here, along with what he'd seen back home.

When Claude mentions that he's out here looking for plants, Steve tilts his head to one side in interest, his expression revealing a brief flash of surprise. It isn't so shocking that they'd be out here for similar reasons, but it is serendipitous how they ran into each other.

Though he's starting to gather that they're both just busybodies. ]

I'm also looking for a plant. Well, a specific type of cactus. I don't see why we couldn't search together, once you're done with that.

[ He nods to the small collection of arrows that Claude has crafted thus far. It's entirely possible they'll run afoul of something in their search, so it's a good idea to be ready for that. ]