[probably for the best. Emerald bites back the comment about how she already had nightmares and takes her glass, carefully raising it to her lips. taking a slow draw without waiting for any kind of toast or anything like that, she swallows and speaks. and she wants it to be more dramatic, but she's not there yet.]

I owe everything I am today to Cinder. And I know I told you that already, but... [her face twists, not at the wine but at what she's saying. how the words are still too hard to come by. and she exhales.]

Sorry. I don't think I can start yet. It's... too much and I'm thinking about it too much. We should talk about something else first.