"Yeah. Well luckily there's no insects!" That's something at least. He would have absolutely abhorred the experience if he had to deal with leeches and ants and mosquitoes on top of everything else that's happened.

"You don't-- like most people you've met?" Steven ventures meekly. It just sounds like, what with them being 'forced together' and all that. Maybe Max (can he call him Max? He should probably ask before assuming) would prefer to be alone.

Steven wouldn't mind to be that way inclined. Unfortunately he's social and he wants to make friends. But he just keeps annoying half the people he meets and that hasn't been fun either.

"Did you-- go on the last. Outing?" The one that didn't go so well, not that that needs saying out loud.