paradisa | ℒℒ 47

[ The sound of a heart monitor isn't all that entertaining in general, and the journal wouldn't randomly open for something so boring, would it? Nope. Because right after it suddenly spikes, there's a small clatter and a flatline, followed by a hushed gasp. ]

No.

[ An uncomfortable, heavy silence, then a hopeful murmur. ]

Clark? ...Clark?

[ Another stretch, before there's a muffled sob. She's practically panting, out of breath from her own adrenalin and quickly revealed yell of rage. ]

No! Clark! Where is he?! [ There's a sharp CRASH as the hospital bed hits the other side of the room, and Lana's voice is practically a roar of utter fury. ]

LEX!

[ And the recording of her ends there, as she is immediately gone. Any intending to check Lana's hospital room after all the racket will find it empty except for her journal, the hospital bed hanging from a dent in the wall. ]

[City Filter]

[ Lana feels violently ill, but there's nothing to come up. Not even tears. All she can do is stand in front of the house that she once called hers for a long moment, as if reluctant to re-introduce herself to an old friend. Eventually she enters, wasting no time in showering and changing, but she doesn't even pass a glance to the puppy nipping at her heels before shutting the door in it's face and is out on the town again.

He isn't here. He isn't here.

He isn't here.

But she still has work to do. ]

[/City Filter]

[ ooc; Backdated to before the pony portal appeared~ City filter is open to anyone who wants to bump into her! And why yes she is wearing all leather because reasons. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ She doesn't have her journal with her, but it would have been a long time before checking, anyway. Instead he might find her stalking around town, even more conflicted now after having to deal with both Tess and Crowley. No matter how positive or negative the ties here are, they just keep to seem trying to weigh her down. And she's clearly, clearly not in the mood for that.

It's only the unique manner of dress that keeps Lana from waltzing right past him in her darkened haze, but even if her steps have halted, she's not saying anything.

Debating...and waiting for a sarcastic remark about her earlier 'outburst' just like the others. ]

[He sees her and his eyes do a once-over. She dresses differently, and she's older -- only by a few years, but they're a few years she wears well.

He whistles.]

Well! Look at you.

[ It catches her off guard. Still.

But only because it's the opposite of what she expected. And the fluster is short-lived, soon replaced with even more caution. She eyes him like she needs to size him up.

Then she smiles as she holds up a hand to pull her glove off. The venom laced within her voice is oddly jovial. ]

Right, no more ring. Sorry, I know the sparkle was the main attractor. I think it had a bad boy magnet stuck in there. You know, just another one of Lex's special ways of testing me, maybe?

What an interesting turn of events, given that I swore off married women for good earlier this very week!

[His eyes moving to that bare finger, he chuckles and approaches her a few steps. There's something about her tone that is different, too, and the bite in it has him itching to know more.]

What did you do to the bastard?

[ She purses her lips, clouded gaze quickly turning downward in shame. Not at his assumption, no. But at the answer she has to give, choked out in a suddenly hushed tone. ]

Nothing. Someone got in my way.

[Damn. His smirk fades a bit in favour of sympathy.

He offers a hand to her.]

If you can believe it, I know that feeling. It is unpleasant, to say the least.

You don't know anything.

[ It's biting, she knows. She doesn't care. And she brushes past him, tugging the glove over her hand.

Things are still so jumbled, any time her gaze settles on a new face. Which memories go with what. Which ones are important? Valid? Which ones are just fantasies? It doesn't really matter, because she can't afford to be weak like that. ]

You can't help me.

[Cold. Ezio drops the hand, turning to follow her with his eyes as she passes him.]

You'd be surprised... and you should know a lone wolf can't accomplish as much as a pack.

[ She bites her lip, but it's so she doesn't laugh. She shouldn't be so arrogant, really. Vaguely, if she can trust the recollection, she remembers that their last encounter was friendly, if somewhat conflicted. She had wanted to help him, even though she wasn't anywhere near his level.

And now... Now she can't even say what level she's on. But she does stop. ]

Ezio. I'm not a wolf. [ A glance over her shoulder, only a slightly giving tilt of her head. Maybe the tiniest of smiles. ] I'm Lana Lang.

[Now that sounds like a challenge. He follows her, drawn after that smile like a magnet.]

A lioness, hmm?

A lioness. Not bad.

[ She tries not to laugh, biting her lip to keep it in. Laughing would be inappropriate. She's supposed to be angry. She is angry, about so many things... Important things.

Which is why it's so hard to be mad at Ezio about something that seems petty now. It was so long ago, wasn't it? It was nothing compared to everything else. ]

...How do you do that?

[He falls into step beside her, offering her an arm. Always a gentleman.]

Do what?

[ She doesn't take it, but she doesn't move away, either. Indecisive. ]

Make everything feel...less real? More fun.

[Ezio shrugs.]

It is my job to murder the scum of the Earth, dolcezza –– I would be a bitter man if I did not try to balance it out. You like to be amused, do you not?

I used to.

[ A pause for consideration, and her smile drops. ]

I don't really expect it now. Just twenty-four hours ago feels like...a lifetime already. Everything has changed.