関 みなこ // the Gadgeteer.

❝ Let every eye negotiate for itself and trust no agent; for beauty is a  w i t c h against whose c h a r m s faith melteth in blood.

[minakoseki]

Appearances // Minako + George

[george-bailey-at-your-service]

"I’m glad it doesn’t bother you, then." George replied and nodded awkwardly, unsure of what to say. He returned back to his work as she talked, "Hopefully. Do you know about the other pairs? I’ve seen a few agents before and they… weren’t really happy about it." he said, looking at her before looking back at his work.

[minakoseki]

"Well, when I first got to the hotel, I had a drink with Penelope Baker- the weapons trainer. I can't recall who she was partnered with, but she didn't seem very pleased about her assignment. In fact, most of the pairs I caught a glimpse of looked as if they'd rather kick one another into a wall." Minako smirked lightly as she said this, glancing over at George as she moved away from her table in search of some more wiring. 

[slaymonsters]

[minakoseki]

Jalouise Magazine (May ‘11)

[adrienneporter-deactivated20131]

it's all part of the job description // [001 & ------]

Given her pleasant nature, perhaps it would have made sense to send Adrienne to the late quartermaster’s next of kin to inform them of his death. Yet, she barely knew the man herself, and Adrienne had a hard time with funerals anyway. She had barely made it through her own parents’ ceremony, leaving before any guests could offer condolences. It wasn’t like their words would have made her feel any better.

As such, Adrienne instead put her efforts towards something more suited towards her finely developed skills as double-oh. The killer agents were excellent at following directives, but those were usually quite vague, requiring agents to use more than a few detective skills. Unable to remain much longer in the MI6 offices, with gloom settling its corridors more heavily than usual, 001 applied some light makeup and walked out of the building.

The taxi ride was slow due to traffic, but by early evening, Adrienne was at MI6 Employee Jay Ladhi’s residence, eyeing the outside carefully. Whoever killed him must have compromised the security system somehow, she thought as she noted the locations of what she believed to be cameras. Using the key she had sweet talked the Archivist into giving, the woman twisted it in the lock. The click did not quite cover the sound of soft footsteps, and Adrienne turned, recognizing her new companion with a polite smile.

"Here to investigate too?"

[minakoseki]

Jay Ladhi's death had taken its toll on a number of people, coworkers and family included, but no one could have been more unhinged by it than his fellow quartermaster, Minako Seki. 

They had never been the best of friends in the public eye, both reserved and quiet in their work; however they had brought out a brightness in one another that was made to last. Jay, who had slowly broken down the strictly professional barriers that had kept Mini from making friends with her associates, and Mini, who had been a source of innovative inspiration and enthusiasm that helped to push Jay's work further. They had often shared a lunch table or a lab space, never complaining about one another's company because there was a silent understanding that they both needed each other to cope, whether or not they would ever outwardly admit it. Now, they'd never get the chance. 

To make matters worse, Mini could feel her guilt for her companion's death increasing by the second. It was common knowledge that she had played a large part in the development of MI6's domestic security system. Because it had failed to do its job, the woman was compelled to take responsibility for the faults of her work. Not only had she jumped right into the development of the new security system, but she had also vowed to herself to do anything in her power that might unmask Jay's killer, and that investigation began at the scene of the crime. 

It was no surprise that the quartermaster found herself face to face with a double-0 agent; in fact, she was rather relieved that she wouldn't have to explore the insecure apartment on her own. The smile she greeted Adrienne with was weak, but it was the best she could do given recent events. 

"If it helps me sleep at night, I sure as hell am." 

[dailysets]

[hectorpriamidesarchive-deactiva]

[minakoseki]

MYTHOLOGY MEME | (3/9) GREEK GODS OR GODDESSES

ARTEMIS was the great Olympian goddess of hunting, wilderness and wild animals. She was also a goddess of childbirth, and the protector of the girl child up to the age of marriage. Her twin brother Apollon was similarly the protector of the boy child. Together the two gods were also bringers of sudden death and disease—Artemis targeted women and girls, and Apollon men and boys. In ancient art Artemis was usually depicted as a girl dressed in a short knee-length chiton and equipped with a hunting bow and quiver of arrows. (x)

[minakoseki]

Playing With Fire // Open

[siobhanahearne]

Siobhan felt the tension slowly leaving her shoulders. She took a deep breath in, feeling the weight of the gun and the sight of the target. It was relaxing, the closest thing she would get to being active whilst remaining in London.  She gave a small private smirk as she emptied the rounds. At the sound of approaching footsteps, Siobhan raised her head to watch as Minako approached. “You learn to enjoy the little things.” 

[minakoseki]

"I see." The quartermaster returned the agent's smirk, handing her a fresh new set of rounds. "Shall we try these out then while you're still cozy?" Strolling over to the computer, she reset her headphones and goggles, pulling up her analytic software. When everything was ready, she signaled Siobhan to execute her shots. 

[minakoseki]

Appearances // Minako + George

[george-bailey-at-your-service]

"You’re probably right… I guess being a parent makes you worry all the time. It’s really peculiar. Anyway, I’m sorry for bothering you with all of these parenthood problems." he replied and gave her a genuine smile as he looked up at her from the missiles he had been working. "You’re lucky, then. That sounds good." he ran a hand through his hair, a smile still on his face. "My partner and I talked, then she disappeared. I hope it wasn’t something bad."

[minakoseki]

"Oh, don't worry about it. Hearing about your parental affairs.. Well, it interests me. You know, my father was never around when I was little. I suppose it gives me a bit of relief knowing there are decent fathers in this world." She flashed him the tiniest of smiles, not daring to look up from her work. Clearing her throat, she moved on. "Yes. And I'm sure everything is fine. All of us were stressed by the exercise at some point. Perhaps she just needed a break."

[minakoseki]

Playing With Fire // Open

[siobhanahearne]

Siobhan’s features softened, nodding at the quartermaster’s pleased tone. It was always good that they could somehow improve the weapon and technology. She nodded her agreement to the suggestion. “I’ll be here then.” She could do with a little bit more shooting. This sitting around was not great for her patience. Siobhan had always been the type to jump at the chance for a mission. The physical aspect of motion cleared her mind, made it easier to cope. 

[minakoseki]

While Siobhan remained to shoot some more rounds, Minako returned to her lab and configured several new sets of trial ammunition. Each was lighter than the previous, composed of different solutions so the agent might indicate which one felt best and the computer might indicate which worked best. Just past half an hour, the quartermaster strolled into the range once more, checking up on the other before presenting the new rounds. "You seem to be enjoying yourself," she commented lightly. 

[wistfully]

Rinko Kikuchi in the Carl Zeiss Art Calendar 2013 making of video [x]

Photography by Michel Comte [.]

[penelope-baxter-deactivated2014]

Target Practice | Penelope & Minako

[penelope-baxter-deactivated2014]

Penelope was quick to recover after Minako dodged her initial attack. The girl had some skill to begin with, which was good. Not like some others she had worked with that had little to no experience in the form of defense and offense. Penelope bounced back and forth from one foot to the other, Calculating and analyzing the movements to make before moving towards her right in a light sprint. She hadn’t even begun to crack a sweat really with these movements. Once it got more intense she most likely will but for now she was prime and excited by the movements.

When she was near she shifted to the left and leaping across ever so slightly. The dagger that had been against her forearm switched out in a smooth movement. If she had made her movements right, Penelope would show the girl a deathly move that could have the girl at the hands of her attacker easily.

[minakoseki]

Minako had been quite pleased with the excitement of their initial spar. Penelope's first attack had been easy to block, but her second would prove a much more difficult offender. 

As the trainer approached from the right, the quartermaster had been prepared to reply with a stiff middle block to her abdominal area, however, when her opponent shifted to the lift, her position put her at a high disadvantage to defend herself. Still, she did her best, pivoting on her heels in the hope of getting around in time. 

[minakoseki]

Appearances // Minako + George

[george-bailey-at-your-service]

"I know. I hope it’s not too late, though." George commented, smiling. "It’s all he does in these days. He thinks homework will disappear if he acts like it doesn’t exist." he added with a small laugh, he kept telling Samuel about it, hoping the boy would understand eventually. "So, How’s M’s trust seminar for you?" he asked, looking at her.

[minakoseki]

"Well, he's sure to figure out for himself what the consequences of obsession will be if he doesn't get his act together. Sometimes you have to let them solve the problems on their own. At least, that's how I learned to conduct myself." Minako smiled gingerly, a fleeting glimmer of a memory passing through her eyes before their subject changed. "Oh, fantastic. I was partnered with Teddy Bradshaw, the intern- great kid. I've actually been thinking about taking him on as my apprentice. He seems interested in the work of Q-branch."

[joannaschristies-deactivated201]

url graphic for elsinore-rose → Elsinore, the Danish royal castle where Shakespeare’s Hamlet is set, Rose, a symbol of life and strength, blooming in a place that has seen destruction, death, grief and madness. The castle Elsinore is itself a symbol of strength, enduring despite the terrible events that have occurred within its walls.

[slaymonsters]

[minakoseki]

Rinko Kikuchi at a photocall for “Map of the Sounds of Tokyo” in Madrid

[thundercatsstolemyicecream-blog]

[tokyojupiter]

[dailyhantzis]

Rinko Kikuchi

[reggieflint-blog]

Distractions || Minako + Reggie

[reggieflint-blog]

Startled out of his concentration, Reggie knocked the back of his head on the lip of his desk, causing him to yelp. Thankfully, it was more out of surprise than pain. He rolled back on his bottom and swiveled around to see his young Quartermaster companion. “Ah, Minako! My favorite little stealth mouse,” he chuckled, rubbing the spot of the impact. “This one’ll be a bump.”

He pulled himself up to his chair, slouching into the seat and folding his hands over his chest. “Lost cause now; I’ll get it l—,” he cut himself off once he saw that Minako had already found it. “You lovely little devil,” he grinned, holding his hand out for it.

His eyes quickly moved from the screwdriver to the roll of papers tucked under her arm, and right away, he was curious. “And what, pray tell, are those…?” he gestured to them.

[minakoseki]

While it wasn't common for Minako to be amused by as foolish an action as bumping one's head on the lip of a desk, she couldn't help the snickering glimmer that lit up her eyes when Reggie finally took notice of her appearance. A stealth mouse was she? That was a new one- and not a bad way to describe her either. 

She barely moved as he lifted back into his chair, still holding out his screwdriver, which his dazed state had yet to catch sight of. Honestly, she wondered how he even managed to keep his job plagued by such frequent spells of temporary idiocy. His explosive prowess was no doubt the quality that kept him most grounded. Nevertheless, the 'lovely little devil', or so he called her, would miss the pyromaniac if he ever left the workplace. His practically limitless knowledge of explosives and bounding energy kept her on her toes, desperate to wow him with something truly spectacular. 

With a grin worthy of the Cheshire Cat, the quartermaster delicately placed the screwdriver in the expert's hand before sliding the blueprints out from under her arm. They were still rolled up for teasing suspense, as she could already feel the anticipation beaming off of the man seated in front of her. "Just a few blueprints for a little dynamitic idea of mine. Why? Don't you have your own project to busy you?" Her dark eyes glanced briefly at the partially constructed grenade before returning to Reggie's gaze with a mischievous spark of inquiry.