[this is one of the ways Chandra differs from Cinder, Em is realizing. there's never been any sense of... that volcano thing with Cinder, or at least there hasn't that Em's ever noticed. she's always been in control and perfectly composed (except those couple times she hadn't but those were just bad days she's pretty sure) and Chandra is. not that. and somehow Chandra feels safe... safer? no, she can't let herself—ugh. she takes another drink of wine.]

It's not that I'm getting myself into trouble back home. [she might as well start. she doesn't have to start with everything all at once, but.] I... work for Cinder, who works for Salem. And Cinder and Salem don't get along, and now Cinder isn't really.

[sigh.] Cinder isn't in the picture anymore. Which means I work for Salem now. The trouble found me.