[it takes Emerald a second to realize how close Chandra is, but she's listening as intently as she can to every word. it's an offer close to the one Cinder made. steady, reliable work under somebody who can fulfill her every dream. or whatever. she doesn't even know what her own dreams are anymore. because ever since she came here, she hasn't had any that were entirely her own, has she?]

[(she hasn't had dreams all her own for much longer than that.)]

[it's tempting in the moment, but she can't commit that easily. she hasn't been able to make her decisions that simply or quickly in years—and it's not an offer, is it, it's just musing. it's just what-ifs. what-if after what-if. she sighs and turns her head, and blinks a little in surprise when she finally sees how close Chandra's gotten.]

It's a nice gesture. But I don't know if... [she gnaws her lower lip, her red eyes darting away and her head turning slightly back with it.] I don't know if she's actually dead. And I won't unless I go back there, and I won't be able to come back to... what you're offering if I go back and there's nothing but Salem. [she's guessing. it's all a guess. she knows she'll be repeating herself, but. her breath is starting to get shaky again. her eyes close.]

I don't know what to do... and I'm scared. I'm so scared.