Lana Lang

Bonus #1: Select five people from your muse's f-list and have them list five reasons for each person why they're thankful they know them.

[ooc: Multiple verses in this post, including canon. That said, not binding to any muse unless noted. As I have several verses that crossover with Supernatural, I won't specify which unless it's specific to a certain verse.]

( *** )

"Sometimes, when one person is missing, the whole world seems depopulated."

She thought they'd gotten past this. She'd made it clear on multiple occasions that the danger of being with him didn't bother her. She didn't want to be safe. Safe was barely living if it meant being without him. He knew that, and she thought he'd accepted it. Somewhere between leaving Dean and their first fight, something had changed.

"I love you, but I can't do this anymore. Goodbye, Lana."

Smallville, though generally undeveloped and open, currently felt very closed off and smothering, and even the thought of work in Metropolis seemed overwhelming. Lana had to get away, so she boarded a private plane destined for a new set of wide open spaces and sent out a text message to everyone she knew.

Don't worry, don't call. I just need some time alone.

[ooc: I'm leaving this open for anyone to reply to by text or phone call. Depending on who is calling, she may or may not pick up her phone. If not, feel free to leave a voicemail.]

Lana just stood and stared at Carter as he explained everything. She had, as Oliver said, died and come back to life. She was Immortal, as was he. That strange and almost painful feeling in her head was what happened when two Immortals got within a certain distance of one another. She should be wary of that feeling from now on, because there were others out there like them, and while some were friendly, others took the heads of any Immortal they found to gain their power.

"You knew this whole time, didn't you?"

Carter nodded. "It's the reason I agreed to train you, Lana. I wanted to protect you. There are Immortals who would take advantage of your inexperience and ignorance." He walked closer. "Do you understand now why I don't want you to take Luthorcorp's technology?"

Lana was confused. "But wouldn't that be a good thing? No one could take my head."

He put his hands on her shoulders and shook her gently. "That's what I've been trying to teach you. It won't be. I told you, I've seen what happens to those who chase that kind of power. They come to think of themselves as gods and become a threat to everyone around them. If you put on that suit, that's what you'll become. You'll become the thing you're trying to save the world from."

She looked at him for the longest time before nodding in defeat. He was right. She didn't want him to be right, but he was. She didn't know how long he'd lived, but there wasn't any doubt in her mind that it was long enough to know what he was talking about.

"Okay, I won't."

"Good." He walked away from her for a moment. "I got something for you."

"What is it?"

When he returned, he held a beautifully crafted katana in his hand.

"You'll be needing one of these." Carter went on as she took it. "It's light and elegant, a lot like you." He gave her a soft smile. "I knew the moment I saw it you should have it."

"...thank you," she answered softly.

He gave her a nod. "Now, are you ready to start your real training?"

[ooc: Prompted by this picture. And yes, if Chole-mun approves, this will be official part of their history.]

"Lana, just...calm down!"

Lana paced the floor of her bedroom, her phone in one hand and the test in the other.

"Right. Calm. I can do calm." There was a slight pause in speech and body before she resumed. "I can't do calm."

"Yes, you can, now breathe. You're going to be okay."

( But what if I am?! )