𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧.

sympathy digs into her features, her frown taut. she listens to kanan and his concern, his pleading tone pulling sharp against her better judgment, but ahsoka's mind is made up. there are paths for her that do not cross with kanan and ezra's — not for a long, long time. for a while, they will run parallel, never touching, but always present in their minds and in the formidable presence of the force. "ezra needs someone like you," she returns evenly. "i have nothing more to teach him, but you... you will find you have many lessons ahead of you. trust me." ahsoka gently shakes her head. "you are more a jedi than you think, kanan jarrus. you must learn to trust your instincts more. they got you this far." a long bout of silence stretches between them, until... "where will you go?" turning this from herself and onto kanan, flipping the conversation so that he thinks inward — it is for the best. "they still hunt for all of us. you have to be careful."

                    ahsoka's answers came as expected yet still caught kanan in their meaning, the weight of her wisdom sinking heavily into his mind as well as his heart. they were cause for reflection. even if the hopes of her company were extuingished, kanan could take comfort in knowing her faith in him hasn't wavered. while he has yet to uncover the secrets of her connection with the jedi, or even her survival, he will never doubt the integrity of her choices. kanan jarrus, caleb dune, nods slowly as the heaviness becomes a little more bearable. the meaning finding the purpose. ❛ the real lesson is in the teaching, isn't it?  ❜ he asks rhetorically, arms folded as kanan continues to appreciate though reluctantly accept her continued faith in him. always too critical of himself. ❛ i'm just worried my instincts will fail me one day.  ❜ he inserts, only pausing for one moment before answering the penultimate question. ❛ wherever ezra needs me. wherever hera or the crew need me. their survival is more important than anything. but ...  ❜ another pause. ❛ it's a little reassuring to know there are still jedi out there. so long as one survives ... ❜ he tapers off, nodding back to her afterwards. ❛ what about you? where will you be if we need you again?  ❜

Gambit: Le Diable Blanc MARVEL RIVALS

sebastian's head immediately pops up from behind the brick chimney he just climbed over. they're in the middle of what feels like an obstacle course, the two agents maneuvering over rooftops, leaping over gaps, dodging danger and long falls in favor of an ideal vantage point. is this bond's first time doing this... or is he just young and fond of causing problems? it's quite amusing. sebastian will deny it outloud, but he does enjoy the other man's remarks sometimes. adds a bit of levity to the seriousness of the situation. "i did say try to keep up. not keep up. try being the operative word here. did you not learn any parkour with MI6?" he climbs back over the chimney, reaches across the small gap in the rooftops, and beckons james to take his hand. "we're almost there. can't believe we're doing this one as a team. fucking shocking, is what it is, but you need my help, and i really need yours." once the two get back over the chimney, sebastian eases over another gap in the line of rooftops and points to the east. "see? there's your location. that rust-colored building right there. i thought it might help you to see it from my perspective first before you go in. that way we can coordinate together." sebastian pauses and gives james a look. "they still don't know we've teamed up for this, do they?"

                    treadstone had been whispered to him once or twice, only now becoming reality after an intense mix-up between himself & one of their assassins. now, he was parkouring across the rooftops of london alongside his apparent rival & enemy. ❛ top of my class, mate. just didn't want to remind you of your age, sorry.  ❜ he snaps back, grinning as he takes his hand & breathlessly climb over the final hurdle before taking one last leap to the designated position. ❛ uh huh, the enemy of my enemy is my friend & all that.  ❜ he murmurs, eyes following sebastian's directions before inspecting the building himself as much as possible. ❛ right. so i know where to line them up for you.  ❜ he adds, understanding the intent behind moran's plan. though, james glances at him with an expression more smug than ever. ❛ why bother them? it's a need to know basis. so long as we bring results, we'll be forgiven, right?  ❜ a beat, bond now checking his watch & other gear before adjusting his jacket. ❛ i'm ready to move in. try not to breathe too heavily in my ear, will you?  ❜

❝ oh! yes, yes, we should ask the cards first. they'll know exactly what i'm wanting. they can like see into the future and stuff, y'know?   ❞ she props her elbows atop her knees, with chin settling into her palms. ❝ oh — wait. obviously you knew that. beau says you don't actually know a lot of things, molly. but i think you do.   ❞

                    ❛ your first mistake there was listening to that half-witted monk. her mind is as closed as the windows in this room. stuck shut.  ❜ he begins to throw the cards before them, narrowly fitting into the space between her knees & his arms. finishing, molly hovers his finger over one before moving to another. eyes glance up at jester, amused by the focus in her expression. ❛ take it your god has left you unanswered again? shame. but you should never rely on someone else to get your answers, love. you've made it this far, haven't you?  ❜ he asks, albeit giving little time to answer as he turns the first card over & grins in response. ❛ well, would you look at that, it's you.  ❜ he shows her, flicking the joy card now revealed for jester to inspect closely. ❛ in searching for laughter, you've created it. in searching for answers, you're no longer bored. aren't you?  ❜

❝   i   would   love   your   help   in   finding   my   way   back   home.   if   you   could   assist   me   ,   i'd   be   happy   to   lend   you   help   in   any   way   you   desire   ,   once   i   have   access   to   my   connections   &   my   full   potential.   ❞   with   a   snap   of   her   fingers   ,   she   disappears   from   her   spot   ,   only   to   appear   right   beside   the   moon   knight.   she   leans   against   the   chair   ,   all   while   sizing   him   up   in   case   things   go   awry. midna is not stupid ━━ a powerful being like him could easily snap at her if he deemed her a danger for any reason.   ❝   what   do   you   think   ?   is   there   a   chance   we   can   perhaps   .   .   .   negotiate   a   way   to   help   one   another   ?   i doubt you'd help me simply just because , which is fine by me. i know i wouldn't , if the tables were turned. ❞

                    mister knight shifted his posture after listening closely, still entirely focused on midna though now dropping his fingers from propping his head up. instead, he leans forward silently once she had finished to clear his throat. ❛ the moment you put your faith in fate is the moment you give up your free will, princess.  ❜ he pauses, eventually sitting back a little more comfortably. ❛ who says i need your help?  ❜ he asks in addition, purposely omitting his own war against the asgardian drug lord poisoning his city. marc felt as if he could trust her, but that didn't mean he did. he doesn't want her help, yet he wasn't going to leave her without his. ❛ people maybe don't help each other where you're from, but it's a little different here.  ❜ a beat, marc now standing up to button his jacket together. ❛ you've come to my midnight mission seeking help, so help you'll receive. but this is a little out of my depth. what else can you tell me about your world? how did you even get here?  ❜

THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2 2014, dir. Marc Webb

Mollymauk Tealeaf in The Mighty Nein Official Trailer

she trusts him and his judgment here, trusts he'll handle the two enemies with the precision and skill he's always shown her. it's no wonder he's the best of the best, top of his class (as he so gently reminded her). in seconds, he demonstrates that very strength — the enemy falls, and james is alone in that conference room once more. "nice work. download should be finishing up by now." emily takes a breath and puts her hair up in a ponytail to get it out of her face while they have a brief lull. "what kind of exfil are you interested in today, mr. bond? i've got a few ideas to throw at you. none of them involve wine, unfortunately, but we can work that in at a later date. let me know when you're ready to hear them."

                    in one swift motion, the agent launches the glass towards the further guard; rushing towards the closer one, james slams his forearms in before disarming him & firing the gun into his head cleanly, followed by another shot to the second. wiping his brow, james lets out another breath before strolling back to the laptop. removing the drive, bond slides it into pocket before pacing towards the door. ❛ i'll take one that comes with a dry martini then, if there's no wine.  ❜ casually stepping over the bodies, james clears his angles routinely before descending the staircase. ❛ what have you got for me today, miss kelso?  ❜

JAMES BOND 007 FIRST LIGHT (2026)

                    molly maintains the friendly albeit genuine tone, thrusting his coat back to comfortably sit on the stool before gesturing for her to do the same. ❛ no tricks, love. just trust. how else do you learn to trust someone? faith, isn't it? so why don't you put your faith in me this fine evening.  ❜ he continues warmly, reaching for the deck of cards from within his coat. molly shakes his head at her final question, flicking them face down onto the table around the ball. ❛ not me. not you. the cards. you look like you've had your fair share of adventure, lass. but something tells me you're not quite finished, are you?  ❜