It takes Russell a minute to recognize the reference, because kids these days mostly just remember that that's a code word for tragic ending. If it weren't for the literature major, he might have missed it.

"Right, that. I'm not worried either," he bluffs, not wanting to spread nervousness in anyone - especially while they're underground. "Just... You know what I mean." He dismisses the conversation, rationalizing that it's not a particularly pressing topic, now that the old man's catching up to the group and they're coming to a pause point anyway.

Russell waves at Sky and veers off back to the group, checking in with a couple people - another older woman, a couple of teenagers who definitely aren't holding hands or blushing at each other - before wandering towards some of the machines on the edge of the cavern. He's scatter-minded as he looking around, loitering by some of the side-tunnels to peer down them, impatient like he's waiting for something.

The caves still feel uncannily comfortable to walk through, but nothing else seems to be changing. What if what changed last time was from something strange, like the aurora, but subtle enough he hadn't noticed it? Seems a waste to rush to get these tickets for multiple trips down only for it to be nothing but paths through the rock.