Merida laughed airly, a far away sound that she knew she had made but yet it seemed to be coming from beyond her. The depth and warm sincerity of his face was rather captivating. She spoke as though she was the mysterious magical one, but the highway man, with his dark brown eyes and roguish smile had Merida in a daze of her own. A feeling that went further than drunkeness, and yet not as far. Her head felt clear, but the hazy feeling that sometimes came with having over imbided lingered at the edges.


'Indeed, but don't tell anyone my mortal - lest they guard their hearts and I'm unsuccessful in my quest' she teased, finding herself most amusing. Merida cast her head in a faux hauty manner. 'And Im hoping you keep my secret as I suspect that you are no mere mortal either my thief' she mused, as the dance progressed. Merida had almost forgotten about the music, their turns and movements felt as much a part of their discussion. She responded to the grip of his hand with a squeeze of her own, the desperate intimacy of this moment overwhelming her. Without thinking she reached up to brush away one of those tempting curls from his eyes. 'I'll be kind my thief, I'll let you keep your soul tonight' Merida said, her tone a little breathier and empassioned than she had intended. 'If you let me keep mine?'

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