Caroline "Carol" Ferris. Trans. She/her. 27. CEO of Ferris Air. I've suffered a lot of loss in my life, yet still, I look up to the sky and wait. My destiny lies in the stars. [Closed RP blog for National City RP.]
Carol cleared her throat and reminded herself not to just randomly burst into tears in the middle of the sidewalk, no matter how indescribably touched she was by Lenaâs help, by her willingness to just pause her day to aid someone she hardly knew. In her heart, she firmly believed in the kindness of strangers being one of the driving forces of good in the universe, but in reality, that was a bit further from the truth than she wouldâve liked.
Taking the card from Lena, she allowed herself a small smile as she put in Karaâs contact info in her phone then tucked both away into her pocket. âThank you so, so much,â she said, feeling a bit like she was repeating herself, but there wasnât a limit to how absolutely grateful Carol felt. âI, um,â she realized something and paused, her nose scrunching up in thought, âWere you heading somewhere before I stopped you? Did I interrupt something?â
What had started out as a simple coffee run had turned into something else entirely. It was strange how life worked. If Lena had sent her assistant to get her coffee for her today then she never would have run into Carol. âOkay, slow down. Itâs okay. Weâll figure something out.â The look of distress on the womanâs face was agonizing. Lena couldnât imagine it, being responsible for one of your employees disappearing. Sheâd have been a wreck, but just like Carol, she hoped she would have pushed through to find a way to do everything she could to bring them home.
âI knew I recognized you from somewhere.â They must have been in a room together at one point. They were the sort of people who got invited to similar gatherings, and L-Corp also had departments that dealt with transportation, although they were more for commercial use than military. âBut if he had gone on a joyride, heâd have been home by now, wouldnât he?â She shook her head, trying to imagine what this poor woman must have been going through.
âHave you gone to the media? I have a friend at CatCo who could probably help get the story out there.â
Taking a deep breath, she murmured a soft âalrightâ at Lenaâs reassurance, forcing herself to quiet her mind and just breathe. Carol always tried to contain her worry, but that just wasnât ever possible for her. She was a naturally emotional person, open and unguarded, easy to read like an open book. It made dealing with her professional life a lot harder, especially when sheâd taken up her inheritance, but she powered through. Just like sheâd, hopefully, power through this.
She gave Lena a small nod, âThatâs probably it.â She didnât particularly remember actually meeting Lena at any point, but Ferris Air had opened up her life to rubbing elbows with plenty of people that she never ended up remembering. âYeah, he wouldâve been home by now,â Carol sighed. At the mention of CatCo, she bit her lower lip, deep in thought. âUh, yeah, I got the word out to some local stations and the police department in Coast City. Nothing national yet.â Carol shrugged, offering a small smile and a sigh of relief, âThatâd be... great, actually. I- I dunno, itâs been a mess, mostly. Iâve had some press on my back for Hal disappearing and the companyâs stocks falling for that, and itâs. Itâs stupid. Heâs gone, but the real story is apparently how business is predicted to fail. Typical.â
Carol shook her head and frowned, apologetic, âSorry, Iâm rambling. Again. Itâs- anyway, uh, your friendâs contact information - may I have it?â She pulled her phone out of her pocket and tapped away at the screen, getting a new contact page ready.
The name Sam Lane didn't ring any particular bells, but Carol figured it would more for Hal, probably. She tilted her head, slightly, thinking. At the mention of Lois, though, Carol nodded a little eagerly. "Ah, yeah, that would be it," she said then added with a small smile, "I hope one day I'll be able to say you're how I recognize the name 'Lane.'" Carol had always dreamt big, and that just ended up in her dreaming big for others as well. That probably just came with her lifelong desire of wanting to reach the stars.
"I would've assumed the opposite, actually. Where there's trouble, there's superheroes, right?" she paused, trying to recall a snippet she'd read on the plane ride over, possibly one of the few free moments she'd had since leaving home, "Uh, Supergirl's her name, right?" Carol chuckled, "We could use some noise over in Coast City like that. The nice kind, of course." Carol shuffled her feet, putting her hands in her pockets. She was the antsy kind, always active, especially when it came to thinking. And talking. "Oh, yeah- well, not exactly. I'm... working on it. It's definitely in the big plan. I'm looking to make my company as good or, well, hopefully, better than it used to be," Carol shrugged and gave Lucy an optimistic smile. Her track record with Ferris Air wasn't... the best after she'd inherited the reins, but most of that hadn't even been her fault. Most of it had been outside - and misogynistic - criticism that would've turned her dad beet red had he been alive to hear it. So, she was partially doing this out of spite. As one did. At Lucy's offer, Carol's eyes widen, and she shakes her head, shying away from the other woman's gaze. "Oh, no, no, thank you," she protested, rambling, "You're so kind, and that's so sweet of you to offer. But, I- I couldn't impose on a total stranger like that. You've already done a lot in a little for me, Lucy, it's totally fine."
Lena hated it when people approached her on the street. It was part of the reason she tried to drive everywhere possible, or more accurately, be driven. In a city like National City, walking was rarely convenient anyway. Today though, she allowed herself to step outside. At least on the West Coast, the weather was almost always nice.
She could easily have sent one of her assistants to get coffee for her. Hiding in her office wasnât exactly an uncommon occurrence. She practically lived there sometimes, but the protests had died down and today she felt like embracing the freedom that came with going to get her own coffee.
For a moment, she wondered if that had been a mistake.
Fight or flight was in overdrive, especially after the fundraiser had been attacked by a meta-human looking for her mother and brother, and so she momentarily stiffened at someone trying to get her attention, but within a split-second she was able to tell there was no confrontation heading her way. Instead, the person looked desperate and lost. âOf course.â She looked at the picture offered. The man in the portrait was late twenties, classically handsome, wearing a confident and broad smile. âIâm sorry. I donât recognize him. Is he a friend of yours? Did something happen?â
For a second, Carol just silently blinked at the woman standing in front of her, momentarily stunned that, of all the people she could've ended up stopping in National City, her luck had to run on the CEO of L-Corp. If she didn't have her manners with her, Carol would've been muttering 'holy shit' under her breath a million times. Still, she managed to keep her surprised contained to a brief widening of her eyes, and then, she cleared her throat, mostly to remind herself that she'd stopped Lena Luthor for a reason. And that reason was not just to stare at her like an idiot.
"Um, yeah, he- his name is Hal Jordan, and he's one of my test pilots. He went on a flight a few weeks ago in Coast City and just... disappeared. Never, um, came back home." She paused, going over the words again in her head. Context, Carol. She was always thinking too fast for her mouth. "I'm sorry, I didn't even- I'm Carol Ferris; I manage Ferris Air. We supply airplanes to the Air Force, and Hal's one of the test pilots. He..." she sighed, "He likes to go on joy rides, sometimes, to clear his head. We had a disagreement that night; he left. I came into work the next day, and one of our old planes was missing."
She knew what his thought process had been. Carol would be lying if she said she hadn't done the same thing several times before. They had a couple of old planes that ended up never making the cut for contracts, but those planes still were in perfect working condition, so they were used recreationally... under the table, of course. And, now, she had a missing plane - hopefully not a crashed one - and a missing pilot on her hands. "I've filed a missing persons report with CCPD, but," Carol shrugged, "I thought that National City would be of more help."
Extending a hand out, Lucy introduced herself. âLucy Lane.â Not that the name had the most recognition outside of the military space⊠then again the Lane tended to resonate among those who had ties to the media. Lucy wondered if one day people would associate the Lane with her and not her father or her sister.
âYeah, NCPD probably has their hands full, but if anyone in there can help you, she can.â Lucy turned to her purse, not seeing that Carol had taken out her phone, instead fishing out a business card. âOr at least point you to someone who can.â She doubted Maggie would handle it personally, considering the science department was her focus.
Finally, she found Maggieâs card and handed it over. âTell her you got it from me.â Lucy would remember to send her a text once they departed to just give her a heads up. She knew the DEO was busy and imagined the police department was just as. âI hope he comes home soon.â
"Pleasure to meet you, Lucy Lane," Carol shook Lucy's hand firmly, her eyebrows raising in interest, "Does that 'Lane' have anything to do with military?" Lane was a pretty common name, but after hanging around Hal and his family for so long, she'd come to just assume that most people she suspected were related to each other, no matter how common their names were, were probably actually related to each other. After all, it was a small world - small enough, hopefully, to find Hal. "I'ved worked closely with the armed forces," she explained, "Before my company rebranded as commercial, we did a lot of stuff for the Air Force, mostly; it's family history. I'm pretty sure I've heard the name 'Lane' before." Hal had probably said something to her once, back when he'd been in the Air Force.
"Oh, yeah, I don't doubt NCPD's busy," she said with a light chuckle, "National City's, uh, a little different from Coast City. More, um, eventful." Carol took the card from Lucy with a nod, skimming over the information on it. She jotted down the number in her phone quickly before putting both the card and her phone in her pocket. "I- thank you, Ms. Lane. This..." she scoffed, mostly at herself, "It sounds ridiculous, but this is the best thing that's happened to me in days. The first step I've gotten in, well, any direction, really." Hopefully, the right direction, but Carol trusted in today, in this stranger and the business card in her pocket.
She breathed a sigh of relief. Even if the woman hadnât seen Hal, just having someone actually stop and say more than just âno, sorryâ to her was slightly refreshing. Disappointing, but a bit less disappointing than being brushed off or ignored. Looking for a missing person was so, so very anxiety-inducing; she was going to kick Halâs ass if- when, when theyâre finally reunited.
Confusion briefly flickered over her face. âYeah, howâd you know-â Carol shook her head, âRight, of course, duh, Ferris Air. Yeah, thatâs me. Iâm her. Iâm Carol.â Breathe, Carol, jeez. She took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts. âUm, yeah, I would really, really appreciate that,â she said, nodding, âI tried dropping by NCPD earlier, but I donât know, the person I talked to said they couldnât help me because⊠he, you know, disappeared in another city, and thereâs no evidence that heâd be all the way out here.â
Carol paused for a moment, her brain catching up with all of what sheâd just said. âIâm sorry, Iâm rambling, arenât I? Um,â she fished her phone out of her pocket, tapping away at the screen, âOkay, whatâs the contact info?â
Relationship with family: As far as Carol knows, both of her parents are dead. (In reality, her mom is still alive and living in Europe.) She doesnât remember her mom much since she âdiedâ when Carol was a kid, but she had a good relationship with her dad. He taught her everything she knows about mechanical and aerospace engineering and business management, hoping sheâd one day take over the family company. Her time came a lot sooner than she wanted when her father died, but Carol heeded his wishes out of loyalty, love, and respect for him.
Key relatives: -
Pets: -
Relations
Best friend: Harold âHalâ Jordan
Key friend(s): Nobody else for now
Relationship with friends: Carolâs very close to her friends, especially Hal. Sheâs got a lot of love in her heart to give to others, and she always wants to support and help her friends whenever she can. If it comes down to a choice between herself and someone sheâs close to, Carol always puts the other person first because she figures her needs can come later.
Enemies: None right now
Romance
Relationship history: Sheâs had her fair share of relationships and one-night stands before, during, and after college.
Romantic interest: As of right now, Hal Jordan, but sheâs open to anyone. Unsure about the whole aliens thing. Ask her a little bit later.
Turn ons: Confidence, talkativity, orderliness, someone who doesnât demand time of her or is sensitive about her priorities
Turn offs: Arrogance, recklessness, roughness in bed, spontaneity
Importance in love:Â Carol believes love is one of the most powerful things in the world. Itâs beautiful, inspiring, and can be the driving force behind some really amazing actions and words. But, at the same time, sheâs aware that love can also be dangerous when used in the wrong way or with the wrong intentions in mind. Love is important to her to have in her life, and she feels like, if she didnât have it, sheâd be nothing. Not just romantic love, though, because she knows she wouldnât die without a partner, but platonic and familial and just a general overall, unconditional love for the world in appreciation of all its beauty. The last one, Carol thinks, she definitely canât live without.
Longest relationship: About four years
Background
Educational history: High school diploma, college diploma (BS in Mechanical Engineering)
Work history:Â A variety of minimum wage jobs throughout high school and college, CEO of Ferris Aircraft, Inc. immediately after college (which she then turned into Ferris Air, Inc.)
Key childhood events: Her mother âdyingâ when she was a child, Halâs father dying in a test plane crash that her father blamed himself for, her father spiraling into a deep depression because of Martin Jordanâs death
Key teenaged events: Developing feelings for Hal and mostly dancing around them because she was busy taking care of her father
Key adult events: Her father dying, Hal going missing, the Star Sapphire crystal landing in her backyward
Sexual background:Â Five consistent sexual partners, the rest were flings and one-night stands
Personality
Skills:Â Business management, skilled pilot, mechanical aptitude
Fears: Being exploited for her empathy, losing her loved ones, her business collapsing
Bad habits/vices: Gets irritated and rude when sheâs stressed, forgets to eat when sheâs bogged down by work
Religious views:Â Christianity
Quirks/nervous ticks: Checks her phone all the time (especially when thereâs nothing to see), bites/chews on her lips, twirls her pen when sheâs writingÂ
Best qualities: Smart, witty, empathetic, confident, independent, determined
Worst qualities: Exposes her vulnerabilities when sheâs angry or frustrated, empathizes too much, doesnât look after her own needs, lets herself be blinded by love
Personal goals: Find Hal and make sure heâs alive and well
Career goals: Restore the glory to Ferris Air that it used to have
Romantic goals: Unsure - sheâs fine with how she is, now, but still has some feelings for Hal (however, sheâs let him down before and has let him known her stance on dating employees is immovable)
Carol was losing her freaking mind. Sheâd hardly been in National City for a week, and the stress was already building up inside of her. Taking taxis every day to long business meetings to discuss things that she didnât care about right now was definitely a big defining factor of that stress; she knew she shouldâve dropped everything on Laurenâs desk instead, but that wasnât who she was. No, Carol just had to be the kind of woman who tried to take everything with her while hunting down a missing person.
So, that was exactly why sheâd been going from street corner to street corner, stopping whoever would actually stop for her and showing them the photograph in her hands. Desperate and a teensy bit terrified - that was what she was, but she didnât let it show, not in her voice, her posture, or her eyes. If anything, Carol was determined to keep her chin up because one way or another, sheâd get what she came for.
She happened to make eye contact with someone and quickly stepped slightly in front of them, not exactly in their way but enough so that theyâd notice her. She still had enough dignity left to maintain politeness. âHey, really quick. Two seconds, I promise,â Carol blurted out, keeping her voice steady, âJust yes or no, have you seen this man?â She held up a picture of her and Hal standing in front of one of the Ferris Air testing facilities, taken only a few years ago when sheâd lifted up the company from the hole itâd been in. Theyâd been happy then, nothing like now.
Hartley wasnât usually one for bars, at least non-gay bars, but heâd heard about this one from an alien guy â he thought he heard him mention something about a Tamaran? Unsure if that was an ex or his home planet, but either seemed likelyâ heâd met on one particularly⊠eventful night out. Heâd managed to charm his way in by sweet talking someone that, judging by the ease theyâd gotten in, was a regular. His little helper, so to speak, had left to go join another group of people shortly after entering.Â
He pursed his lips, eyes going over the selection of drinks behind the bar, before he turned to his side, whistling to grab anotherâs attention. âSo, uh⊠got any recommendations?â
Itâd taken Carol a ridiculous amount of time to find this place, especially because she hadnât even known she was looking for it. There was something so awfully off about National City, which, of course, she chalked up to the whole aliens and Supergirl thing. Hal wouldâve loved to hear about it, she figured, but that was exactly why she had ended up here. The words âalienâ and âbarâ separately werenât enough to pique her interest, but when put together, Carol had set off on the task - a sidequest, as Hal would call it - of finding this alien bar. It was a stretch, but it was just enough weirdness that she knew Hal would be attracted to it like a moth to a flame.
However, the few people whoâd given her the time of day hadnât had any answers for her. The rest had predictably ignored her, so Carol settled herself down at the bar and occupied herself with her phone. At the whistle of a guy sitting near her, she tore her gaze away from her screen and shrugged, giving him a small, apologetic smile, âUh, Iâm afraid I wonât be much help with that. Iâm new here. Well, here here and city here.â She glanced at the drinks behind the counter, recognizing most of the human ones but definitely not some that she figured were more, say, foreign. Her eyes caught on a clear bottle with a dark blue liquid inside that she didnât recognize, but something about it felt familiar. If she had to guess, Carol would probably bet her money on it having something to do with the crystal in her pocket. Did Zamarons drink? She had no idea. âI mean,â she continued, pointing at the bottle her eyes were still glued to, âThat one seems... interesting, but Iâm sure itâd kill me, so. Itâs probably best I stick to human cocktails.â
Itâs fun to get away from myself for a while when I take on these roles that have very different personalities from my own. I get to say things I normally wouldnât say or act in ways I normally wouldnât act. After all, such roles are more challenging because you really have to immerse yourself in the character.
