((Aw, really? D:
I only heard that it'll be the last game starring Layton as the main protagonist, but even so, it wouldn't be the same without him ;n; I'm hoping they change their minds, but if it's been announced...))
Zecora hesitantly looked up as the Professor neared them. While she thought she had better not get involved, another part of her mind thought otherwise, and at last she spoke up when Chelmey accused Luke of getting involved. "He was just trying to help," she insisted, getting up from the bench and waving her arms dramatically. "Now, I think it's time for this argument to stop?" She lengthened the word stop a little, her random humor rushing back eventually. It wasn't long before she'd picked up the courage to speak, and the courage to act a little silly as well.
She glanced between the group, tipping her head to one side as if nothing had happened at all, though it was obvious something was bothering her, even if she didn't act like it. The incredibly skinny figure that seemed it had been staring at her before nagged at her brain, tensing her nerves slightly. "We don't have to fight, right?" she echoed her own thoughts, yet again the ghost of a shy-seeming smile on her face. It was almost like she was barely ever unhappy, and even when she was, she bounced right back up to the plate as quickly as possible.
But then, as she noticed the Professor staring at her in what seemed to be mild awe, the girl silenced and decided to let him deal with the rest. After all, he was older and wiser than she was, and at the moment Zecora thought her words wouldn't do a thing to help. "Ehe... Sorry."
Layton blinked in surprise as the young girl that had been sitting quietly on the bench walked over and spoke up. Fine words, he thought, looking at Artemis and then to Chelmey. "This young lady is right," he said thoughtfully, closing the notebook. "We don't have to cause conflict, and I'm sure Luke was just trying to help. Can you let it pass this one time, Chelmey?" he inquired, "I'll be sure it doesn't happen again. But the law does say no horse parking on the university campus, yes."
For a moment the Professor had a feeling the young light-blond haired girl had already seen the nicknamed "Masquerade," due to how uneasy she had been. Of course, it wouldn't have been the first sighting. "Instead we should focus on the present case," he continued, trying to calm the scene. "I had an encounter with a citizen who had her purse stolen not too long ago today." Rubbing his chin in thought, he cleared his throat.