User blog comment:AK151/RWBY Villain Speculations/@comment-11188061-20140707123741

Emerald and Mercury are almost certainly kids she picked up during her recovery-from-fall.

Roman is a recent associate.

I have no evidence to support this at all, but I'm almost certain that if CInder has ever been part of a team, then all or most of her team members must be dead by now.