Don't think about it – stop stop it hurts stop stop – Someone will notice. Focus on what she's saying - it feels like my chest is caving in stop it hurts it hurts so bad stop
The sounds coming from the tormented soul were as loud as a violent storm at midnight. Howling wind, pounding rain and the crash of thunder raged, all signs of intense grief. Cobra looked around the guildhall trying to determine the source of the despair. It was as if the person's soul was crying out for someone to help its vessel, but no one looked depressed. The intensity of their grief should have left them in a sobbing heap. Curiosity got the best of him as he started trying to locate the soul.
There weren't many mages scattered around the open room, so it shouldn't have been so difficult to pinpoint one unhappy person. The problem was they all looked to be in varying stages of peacefulness. His intuition, which he trusted above all else, told him he should focus on the group of women gathered around the bar.
They all looked like they were enjoying themselves. The drunk was slung over a keg, like usual, enjoying her midday buzz, and the demon infested barmaid was leaning against the countertop smiling brightly at the other women gathered around. They were all focused on the tiny script mage, who was very animatedly detailing the Iron Dragon Slayer's proposal from the night before. Apparently they were tying the knot. Finally. Cobra would finally get a break from the metal head's constant self depreciating thoughts as he agonized over popping the question. The barmaid's little sister was there, too, but her thoughts were as dull as usual. She was definitely perfect for her equally dim witted, fire breathing lover. That left only the Star Gazer.
His initial thought was that she was just as focused on the conversation, but then she met his eyes. It was like the storm came to life for a moment. The heartache she felt was overwhelming, crossing the gap between them until it felt like the weight of her sadness sat upon his own chest, threatening to drown him in a torrential sea of desolation. In that moment, he understood. She was lonely, and not the average loneliness people feel when they want some company. The ache she felt went down to her very soul and left a stain that could very well become permanent.
And then her gaze shifted back to the conversation and the echoes of thunder faded back into the distance, but quieter than before. It was as if she realized there was a chance he would pick up on her innermost feelings so she tamped them down to where she thought he wouldn't pick up on them.
She didn't realize how stubborn he could be when he was determined to solve a mystery.
With a focused effort, he honed his sound magic into a battering ram and beat against her inner defenses. She was good, but not good enough to keep him out. After a few seconds passed, he could hear a whisper of her hidden thoughts again.
Focus on Levy. He can hear you. The bastard is probably listening in right now. Leave me alone, asshole.
He smirked and pushed harder, trying to find the wailing he'd picked up on before. When he found it, he almost wished he hadn't.
It hurts My chest is caving in It hurts It hurts so bad I don't know what to do why do I feel so alone stopstopstopstop I can't take it anymore Someone help me please I'm so alone
Her desperate soul was crying out for help, looking for someone to ease the aching loneliness, but no one was the wiser. The Celestial Mage kept that shit wrapped up so tightly behind her bright smiles that everyone around her believed she was happy. Cobra wasn't going to let it continue, though. There was no way he'd allow the world to lose a light like Lucy Heartfilia.