The Yule Ball

Descartes kind of blushed. "My name is Descartes, sir, I am a friend of Maik's."

"Descartes? Do you happen to have a last name?" Maik's father asked, holding his hand out to Descartes.

Descartes gulped. he gently shook the guy's hand. "Hubert, sir, Descartes Hubert."

Maik's father's eyes narrowed slightly. "Hubert. You wouldn't happen to be related to Darius Hubert would you?"
Maik's mother glanced quickly from Descartes to her husband nervously. Obviously this young man wasn't just looking to be Maik's friend, and her husband wasn't being entirely polite to him.

"Um, yes sir." Descartes says wincing. "He's my father."

"Interesting." Maik's father replied. He regarded Descartes for a minute then half smiled. "I'm Artorius Celebrian, Maik's father. It's a pleasure to meet you." He nodded towards his wife. "And this is my lovely wife Elwing."
Elwing smiled and held out her hand. "It's a pleasure."

Descartes gently shook it. "Um, it's nice to meet you both." he says finally able to breathe comfortably again. "Have I come at a bad time?"

"Not at all." Elwing said pleasantly. "Will you be staying for dinner?"

"Um, I'm not sure, Miss." Descartes says. "I was just lloking for Maik. I believe it would be up to her and you."

"You're welcome to stay." Artorius assured him. He looked over his shoulder at Maik, who was walking over. "We'll leave you then. But I would like to speak to you before you leave Mr. Hubert, if you don't mind."

"Um, sure, anythig you want, sir." Descartes says with a nervous smile.

"Good. After dinner, we'll talk." Artorius replied and he and his wife left, leaving Descartes with Maik.

Descartes smiled at Maik. "Hey."

"Hi." Maik replied with a smile. "What brings you here?"

"Um, I just wanted you to know that the offer is still good."

"Good." Maik said. "My answer hasn't changed."

Descartes smiled, "I'm honored."

Maik smiled mischieviously. "So you came all the way over here just to ask me that?"

"Um, yes and to see you."

Maik chuckled. "Thank you."