[ Cassandra's never been good at picking up social cues, but in a situation like this, she's become hyper-aware of them- trying to find the little things in Rex's behavior, hoping he doesn't think of her as a complete loss for this. What a thing to hide from your friend, huh? Even totally unintentionally? Even in this place, where one could say it matters less- not that it makes the dread go away.

And she tries to avoid it- it's become such an undercurrent of her life now she barely registers it, most of the time- but it's there. Knowing she's going to die. And soon, even if some months here feel like a million years. Even if this place is different.

She has to go back one day, after all. She sucks in a breath. ]

It was...nine months there. Six here. [ More than a year. It's harder to count in this world. Coming up closer than she'd really processed. ] So. Fifteen months.

[ She purses her lips close for a second, and then speaks again, quickly, needing to get it out. ] Look. If it happens here- I'll just come back. We'll have to find a way to deal with it, with all the shit that happens with it, but- it won't...it won't be the same.

[ She meant to say it to be reassuring. It's not in her tone, and likely won't work. ]