The former criminal faltered. He didn't know, truth be told. Things had been confusing and off-putting since the start of the week, and now with a strange curse apparently hanging around those who entered the Love-It booth, he genuinely felt like the world was turning upside down. But he did know one thing for certain. "It's not a good idea to keep hanging around her. Weren't we going to go look at other people? We at least talked with Minerva, we have no idea what other people are experiencing."
"Then you go do that," she called curtly, still walking. "We can meet up later, with Mirajane and Macbeth. Compare notes. Talk about what we think."
Cobra took two long strides and inserted himself into her path. She nearly crashed right into him, just barely avoiding his chest and taking a step back, glaring up at him. To his surprise he found himself glaring down at her. "We're not splitting up."
"I don't remember you being the boss of me. In fact, I think you were my apprentice." She attempted to side-step him, but he was faster and blocked her way again. She stamped a foot down. "Cobra! I just Want. To. Talk. To. Her. Augh! Stop doing that!"
"Listen to me. We can't focus on her, and I doubt anything else you say will help."
"You don't know that–"
"And you don't KNOW that it will! But you'll take on their suffering, even if it's pointless, because otherwise…you…" Lucy's movements stilled as the words settled across both of them like chilly morning dew. Cobra felt a rush of cold down his spine, a now familiar itch for things kept private spreading with each awkward second that passed.