8BitBento

Finally, the Family had their first taste of action, and it went amazingly well. Kihara was able to get help from Byakko and Cleo, and they managed to clean out a small convenience store up North. It was a nerve-wracking experience for Kihara, and the first true taste of criminal activity for the man, but it went off without a hitch, and the crew left as quietly as they had appeared. The poor clerk shook the entire time, but the small group was able to keep him calm, explaining that the only issues would be between the Ikigai-Gumi and the owner of the store... Unless of course the Clerk decided to get antsy and try anything. But Byakko held the situation down well enough, and they were able to take what they needed and leave, wishing the man the best of luck for the future and a happy afternoon for now. It wasn't their place to hurt simple citizens, and Kihara felt bad enough that the man had been caught up in it. But it was done, and no real harm was done. But it was the first step of many, and he knew in his gut that eventually blood would be spilled...

=- The Family -= Kihara was a simple man, born to hardworking American father and a loving Japanese mother, and led a simple life. The job market proved to be tumultuous at home, and Kihara found himself bouncing job to job quite a bit. One morning he saw an ad for Los Santos, the golden city of opportunity, on social media. And so his mind was made up. He packed up everything he had and moved, excited to find a city of chances waiting to be taken, but the reality was a harsh surprise. Kihara was stripped of his belongings and money almost immediately, and he saw a large split in the city. There were those on the bottom, either robbing or grinding out any living they could manage, and those who had made it to the top, driving nice cars and living in penthouse lofts. It was a rough sight to see, but he knew that no-one would just put a silver spoon in his mouth. He had to earn it himself. He had to grind out his own life in the city. But soon he noticed other men and women who were struggling to do the same. Stuck in a vicious cycle of robbery and poverty, and an idea struck him. He would hide it as long as he could, but he would bring his own sort of family to Los Santos to help those in need. For some reason he clung to the ideals of the Yakuza, from his mother's homeland of Japan. Crooked men who would murder you at the drop of a pen, but who still gave to charity and treated each other as a family. It was an odd sort of paradox, but it fit with Kihara somehow. And so he formed the Ikigai-Gumi, Los Santos' own Yakuza family. Ikigai was their word for a "reason to live", something that would motivate each of us to get up and keep moving each day. Now all that was left, was to bring those in who needed help most.. =- The Code -= - We are a family above all else. We take care of each other and we help each other. When we aren't working, we bond with each other and grow together. - Any sort of legal worker, or simple citizen, such as Miners, Farmers, Couriers, and other workers, are off limits. We're here to grind out our own living, and despite being seen as good for nothing men and women we do have morals. - Whilst with us, wear our colors with pride. We don't seek to hide away or cower, and we take pride in our family. - We are not petty thugs, so do not act as such. Any squabbles or issues are handled promptly then left to the side, and moved on from. We also aim to avoid stepping on any toes, and squabbling in the streets will only hold us back from that. =- The Goals -= - Grow our numbers. Our greatest strength is in our bonds with each other, and we seek to offer a helping hand to all those who need it. - Secure a home for the family to work from. It would improve morale and presence to have somewhere to turn in at the end of the day. - Secure steady income through some form of business, whether legal or otherwise. If possible we would like to operate on both sides of the badge. - Improve relations with the other gangs and organizations within Los Santos. The more friends we can make the better off we and the city will be. =- The Style -= Much like the Yakuza in the homeland of Japan, we wear dress clothing during our day to day lives and during our work. Our mask is a bit on the side of less serious, but still carries a certain image of the homeland, and felt fitting. =- Closing Words -= If you see us in the streets among you, fear not, for we simply wish to make our own way and live among you in this city. Those who wish to join the family, feel free to speak up and join us, and help us all grow together. Best of luck, and thank you all for your time. See you all on the streets.

Excited to see what all happens with it! Hope to see ya on the streets!

Alright, finally into month.... five now? I think? Damn... haven't been keeping track for this journal well enough... Ahh well.. Finally managed to get a real bed! Rented out a cozy little apartment from a guy named James... uh.... Sardinsky? I think? Hopefully spelled it right. So things are looking up! Now just to get the whole... networking thing down... Cheers for now! Wait.... do I have to sign off in my own journal?...... ahh fuck it.

Hi there everyone. My name is Ringo, I go by Bento among friends, feel free to use that if you'd like! Onto the meat of this ad. I'm looking for employment as a Driver. Nothing more nothing less, and I'm not overly picky on who it's for within reason. I just want to drive. I like driving, I'm planning on putting in an application to be a cabbie at some point, and I'm also willing to be a chauffeur or Dedicated/Designated driver for a group! We can use your car or mine, but be warned mine is still fairly low end performance wise for now. Working on that part as well. Feel free to text me about any questions or suggestions even on how to go forward! My number is 214-4739. Thanks all! -Ringo 'Bento' Glassow

Well, here we are at what might be the lowest point of the few months I've been in the city so far. Still quiet as far as networking goes and money is low but steadily coming in... and as I tried to adjust prices to offload some of my old cars, I accidentally got my good one towed to the impound by some a super helpful Mechanic.. No issues on that part and it was just him doing his job, but come to find out at impound I had a misdemeanor on my record that I didn't realize was there.... So here we are... Cop was nice though! And luckily it's small.

Four months in and I've been scratching out what I can with mining. High time to find a home and crew though I think.. Four months of passing by strangers and only giving small glances or hellos.

Will do David. Pleasure to meet you. I'll be in touch soon!

Wouldn't be against a hunt. Good skill to pick up. And I'll have to try my hand at farming. Had another guy recommend it. Been spending some time in the mines here lately, seems to be a fun quick way to make decent money.

I appreciate the application notice, and I'll definitely look it over. But I think I'm still too fresh to the city. I'd have to sign up with ya'll once I know the city a little better.

Hi all. I'm looking for any kind of work folks may need done. Not really in a market to be picky about the details, just want something to do that would pay more than my current situation as a Courier. Don't get me wrong. I love delivering stuff, so that work would be amazing, but anything will do. -Ringo/Bento

Glad to hear it. Hope I can manage to scratch out some kind of living. Been doing courier work so far. Had a rough time with money delivery. Think I accidentally sent a man to the ER. He came flyin' around the corner and slammed head on into the truck. ((Apologies. Wasn't aware, and there's not really anything to say about him thus far. No real connections or major events. Is it possible to update this as I go? Like a journal almost?))

Am I filling this out right? Not sure... Um, hi. I'm Ringo, last name Glassow, said like Glahz-ow. I'm uh... 26, from Tennessee, born and raised in the mountains near Nadsville. Lotta big name music stars and their pompous kids sticking their noses up at me as a little kid. Didn't bother me too much as a kid, but it was definitely frustrating later on in life. I think around 15, 16 maybe? When I was starting to get into the job market.. It wasn't a bad thing necessarily, but... a lot of the higher up positions had been taken up by some of those snobby rich kids.. No room for improvement over someone with that many connections.. But I still kept my chin up and tried my best to claw my way up the ladder, at one point even managed to get a decent pay raise at one job... But... I was staying in a shitty run down apartment, in a horrible neighborhood, working 3 different jobs and still barely making ends meet. Needless to say it sucked... Then I saw an ad on Bleeter, 'bout a city way out west. Los Santos, it was called. Land of opportunity apparently. I figured the horrible day to day was enough in Nadsville so I packed up and moved. Ended up with only one bag and my car. Managed to get to Los Santos, but my car and bag got stolen the very first night. Some tough guy with a scar I think, not really sure. Eh.. now I just... start from the bottom I guess.. World is my oyster eh? Wonder what that even means anyway..

Oh crap sorry! But thank you for the welcome!! So far it's been a bit crazy but fun!

Oh you!

Not a girl but yeah man. Few hours below Nadsville! ((Figured I'd gta up Nashvilles name))

Hey there folks. Name's Ringo Glassow, said like glah-zow. Trips a lot of people up. I'm from out near Tennessee, tried to stay honest enough there but it was hard trying to claw my way ahead of everyone else, and one day I saw an ad on social media for the city of gold known as Los Santos. So here we are. 26, alone, tired, had my car stolen almost as soon as I hit the city limits. It's rough, but I can see the opportunity. Back to clawing my way up I guess. Any friendly faces out there don't be scared to gimme a shout. Be nice to have someone on your side through this hellhole.