Five days before INTO THE VOID the Party Horde has descended on The Hitchin Post, an RV park outside of Las Vegas. Yesterday evening they arrived with Aleksei Koji’s camper leading the charge. They have not stopped coming. Campers filled with gypsies and fanboys have been pulling up, filling up lots quickly. Some of the RV’s are high tech, large vehicles like the gem Aleksei won in a poker match, but others are rusty clunkers that appear to be on their last legs. As always all sorts are welcomed by the Party Horde. By the time we have caught up with the Horde, they have claimed half the park and have started to worry some of the other visitors.
A party is building at the Hitchin Post and it does not look like it will not stop until after Sunday. The Horde have taken over the pool and a group of travelers have turned mini golf into a golden gambling opportunity. In the center of it all is Aleksei RV. It has recently had a paint job. Its once white visage is now painted black with PART HORDE spraypainted on both sides in dark purple. A large grill has been pulled up and a big samoan is working the fires. Purple christmas lights are strung up all over and on top of the main camper is a large stereo system with room for a DJ to spin.
Aleksei is moving through it all in a golf cart driven by Danny. He is wearing a black wife beater, jeans and a top hat. It is his casual summer outfit. He is drinking a large tropical drink of some sort the type with little umbrellas.
Aleksei: Welcome to the Hitchin’ Post or as I like to think of it as for the next week Party Horde Central. We have nearly sold out this humble park and I imagine by showtime it will all be ours. It is going to be an epic party and to finish it all up I plan to bring the tag titles back here for a celebration that will be one for the history books.
Now I am sure my new partner, Weapon X, thinks this is all a bad idea. He was strong with the suggestions of not drinking and focusing on training. If you are watching this X, please don’t worry buddy. I am only drinking half as much and I promise things will not get out of hand.
At that moment a group of a dozen streakers on bicycles come swerving ahead of the golf cart causing a near crash. One of the bikers swerves off the path and crashes into some bushes. A man painted all silver on stilts nearly falls over but it able to step over the bikers. The man in the bushes groans.
Aleksei: Someone get that man some ointment.
The golf cart keeps going past a group of bikers playing mini golf while a group follows them passing money between them after each shot. It appears that some sort of naval battle is going on in the pool involving makeshift rafts. The music gets louder as the cart pulls into the center circle of campers.
Aleksei: Lately some people have questioned my choices. They believe I have made a mistake about who I let into my family. But how can another person know that without knowing anything about my family. They think I am some lone wolf with no family of my own before X came along. That will never do!...so let me introduce you to my family.
He hops off the cart and gestures to the large crowd that has gathered.
Aleksei: Of course you all know my cousin, Danny. I have about a dozen American cousins running around here. One of them is working my sound system up there. It seems about every week another comes over, but I don’t mind. For most travelers family is pretty fucking important. Of course we guard our families pretty hard too. Every time I call my ma’ she ask me if I have met a nice Romini girl...I just keep telling her I am looking...I mean I am sure she is around here somewhere.
Aleksei chuckles and gives his warmest smile to a nearby girl, who blushes back. Aleksei heads over to the grill grabbing a burger and pointing to the cook, who is working the flames like a pro.
Aleksei: This guy is Pete, the best pit master I know. He lost his job a week ago because of some drama, and I meet him at the casino betting his last dime. I figure why not ask him to join the Horde...I mean we need good burgers right?
The crowd cheers and Aleksei takes a big bite. He washes it down with his purple frozen boozy drink. He starts pointing to people in the crowd.
Aleksei: Over there is Jeb, from Texas. He gave us a ride one day and has never gone home. We got Winston my tech guy who makes my webshow run like a dream and Tugg who mostly just stands around looking badass. We have Widow over there who is a very cool chick I met in London. Little over there, he is the biggest SCW fan boy I have ever met. I got him out of his aunt’s basement and I am pretty sure I have got him laid.
A tall lanky kid who we can only guess is Little gives a big thumbs up and smiles over at a redhead in a SCW t-shirt. Aleksei laughs at that and starts naming others in between bites of burger.
Aleksei: We have Leola the bearded lady, and Pip....the Boise Twins and Big Woody. I have a burlesque troop that is in town for the week, they are going to put on quite the show tomorrow night...Mae Bee over there is the ringleader of that operation. I have Googles and Tyrone. About half a dozen people who mix the drinks...I want to make sure to thank Gilly for this Purple Sunrise...it is quite the summer treat.
Aleksei looks around but can’t find the lady who fixed his drink. So he just holds the purple tropical monstroscity up in the air as a way to show thanks.
Aleksei: You might think I am just oblivious to what is around me or that the Party Horde is just a name. I am pretty sure everyone here would disagree. Most of these people may not be Romney but they are family, and we are getting bigger every day. My ma might have a problem with that but I fucking love this. Lots of wrestlers say they do it for the fans, but not like this. I know I don’t say it enough but I live and bleed for these people. I drink for them too...must be why I drink so much.
Aleksei downs his tropical drink and someone tries to hand him a beer. He passes it up and instead tells his cousin to crank up the music. People start to dance and Aleksei is more than willing to join him.
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Three days before INTO THE VOID and the Hitchin Post is almost all Horde members. Those that did not start off as Hoard have gotten caught up in the infectious party attitude. Even the staff are getting involved and Aleksei has asked members of the party to help keep the park less trashed. The door to Aleksei’s camper opens and Odetta Ryder comes out. Some fans nearby cheer.
Aleksei: Odetta is going to stay and party, but be nice. She is as deadly as she is pretty. Winston keep my webshow going...I have some thoughts in my head.
Aleksei waves to the Horde as Odetta starts signing autographs. Inside his living room Aleksei pulls up one of the chairs so that he sits close to the camera. He has no drink in his hand. He takes off his hat, running his fingers through his hair as he works out some of the thoughts in his head.
Aleksei: One of the side effects of being less drunk is that I am thinking more. There was a time where being in my own head was not a good idea, but that was then. The times change and a true traveler change with them.
Now I listened to what Gabriel and Synn had to say about the match coming up. I even had my tech guy isolate the parts where they talk to me. I watched it over and over. I even made a drinking game out of it. I took a shot every time they said something relevant....it is part of the reason I am so sober.
Aleksei grins and gets up out of his chair, never being one to stay still for very long. As he talks he paces in the room, gesturing with his hands.
Aleksei: Both these guys seem to think I have made a bad choice picking Weapon X as my partner. Gabriel warns me that he is a bad bad man and Synn calls him a parasite. They seem to be very concerned for me, but I don’t think that is quite right. I think they are worried about their titles.
Let us review. Both men agree that Weapon X is a damn good fighter. Gabriel calls him a top tag team player, that sounds pretty good for me. I mean if I wanted some jobber to join up with me I could have made Danny do it. Both of you also admit he has a whole lot of drive. He would make his own mother look bad to win...well that works for me because I want a win as well. On top of that he has history with you guys, Synn himself admitted Despayre was going to be filled with rage. I find that guys who take things personal tend to fight sloppy. I have nothing to lose here so I can just focus on giving you guys a damn good fight.
Aleksei has been counting the positives on his hand. He looks at his hand trying to remember if there was anything else then shrugs.
Aleksei: I mean you guys have done half my trash talking for me. You admit that Weapon X is a talented, driven warrior who is going to work his ass off to beat you guys. You both had nothing bad to say about me, you admit I have talent and that I have the fans behind me. I mean I had this whole clever speech worked out saying the same things, but you did all the work for me.
As for Weapon X’s inevitable betrayal? I am not sure how this is going to work. We win the match and then what..he knocks me out and becomes the first solo tag team act. I tried that, it didn’t take. I am not getting married to Weapon X, I am asking the man to help me with a match. We are working men who have a partnership. I am true to my word, I will train with him and together we are going to give the world a damn good show. Who knows where it goes from there but for now he is family just like the Horde.
Aleksei turns to the camera sitting back down with a serious look. He is still smiling of course but he is also not playing around.
What could this man possibly take from me? What can any man take from me? He can’t take the win from me, we do this as a team. He can’t take the spotlight...the fans give me that spotlight and he can’t the fans. I can go out there on Sunday, lose it all and these people will still party with me. Ask those people out there what my win record is...they have no clue but they know what I drink. They know my camper is always open for them.
You know what I think? I think Gabriel could learn a lot about his tag team partner....hell Synn could too. Despayre comes down to the ring just ready for a good match. Lets just have ourselves a wrestling match. Instead of giving me all the reasons why Weapon X is going to make your lives difficult, focus on yourselves. I mean you guys fucking rock. I am a fan of Sinful Obsession. Get your head in the game, because I tell you me and X have focus.
I want my first tag team match to be brutal and epic and together we are going to make that happen. Like you said, Weapon X is top talent and despite all my bitching I am learning a lot. We are going to bring a bag full of tricks. A thousand and one ways to crush you guys and if all of Weapon X’s plans fall through there will still be me. The Dire Wolf of Romania will be there and I am hungry. I want this win. Hell I am drinking half rations for this win and we are going to make this happen. Those titles are coming back to the Horde and you know what, when it happens no hard feelings. You can come drink with us and party like warriors, because come Sunday we are all going to live through quite the war.
Aleksei smiles at those words, waves once to the camera and then turns it off.
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What happens next, occurs entirely too early morning. A time that Aleksei believes is not an our that civilized people should be awake for. It is 9am in the morning and Aleksei is passed out on his bed. His usual gathering of women surround him, to keep him warm during those cold desert nights.
All of a sudden the door crashes open and the few people that are only half asleep startle awake. Standing in the doorway is Viper, looking very serious and surprisingly away for such an early hour.
Viper: Clear out ladies, he is all mine.
The women start to clear out. A tall ebony lady covered in tattoos shakes Aleksei awake before scampering away. Aleksei opens one eye and groans.
Aleksei: I told X, no more morning training...I can’t handle it.
Viper: I am not here to train. You and I are having a conversation, but first put some pants on.
Aleksei looks oddly concerned as he fumbles for a pair of pants. The first pair that he pulls up are purple with a bling heart on the back side, Aleksei gives a nervous chuckle.
Aleksei: Those aren’t mine of course.
Aleksei then finds a pair of jeans that does fit him and slips them on.
Aleksei: Can I offer you breakfast...I think I have some chicken wings left over from last night.
Viper: No
Aleksei rubs his face and sits up in his bed. The look of concern has not left his face even though he tries his best to keep his trademark smile on.
Viper: There are some things that have happened recently that I am not pleased with. I don’t like seeing my husband getting in bar fights or passed out in a camper parked in front of my hotel while you work hard on getting arrested.
Aleksei: But to be clear you were not displeased with seeing me in that fountain right? Because I have it on good authority that I look sexy when I am wet.
Viper (ignoring him): AND I am not happy with people calling my husband some kind of comedy act. A whole lot of people seem to think that you are not taking this match seriously and that reflects poorly on him.
Aleksei keeps his smile on while hearing all this but there is an edge to his expression. He holds up his hand to get her to stop.
Aleksei: Listen, I have showed up to every training thing you guys set up and I have worked my ass off...
Viper: Yeah and then you come back here to party all night. Weapon X asked you not to drink and instead you are what...drinking one bottle of rum a day instead of two?!
Aleksei: That is who I am! I never hid that from you guys. You remember when I came to you two, and asked Weapon X to team up with me. This was my deal. I wanted the match with Sinful Obsession way before you guys got involved. Not because of your past issues and not to make you look good. I owe all this to the SCW and I knew I could give the fans a damn good match.
Viper: But you needed a partner. We gave you that and I just want to make sure it wasn’t a mistake.
Aleksei: I would have fought them on my own if I had too. That wasn’t bullshit. I would of put it all on the line against both of those guys because it would be epic....and more teams would start showing up. All of a sudden the tag division is a division again. People might think I am a joke but it worked didn’t it. Four of SCW’s biggest warriors are going at it now because of my drunk ass.
Viper starts to say something but stops. She lets Aleksei keep going.
Aleksei: Now I know I am not living the truth and American justice way, but I do give a shit about this match. I know I can learn things from both you and Weapon X, but that road goes two ways. I am building something here that is not just a random party. This is a movement and people are getting into it. This match is going to be huge...and you know I am not going to hold back on anyone come Sunday. Weapon X is going to proud to have me on his team.
Viper smiles suddenly and nods.
Viper: I think we understand each other then.
The woman then turns to leave, Aleksei just watches her go with a very confused look on his face. He flops back down on the bed.
Aleksei: I don’t understand you at all woman.....why couldn’t this wait until noon? this...this is why I dont get married. Fuck...I need some pancakes.
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The night before Into the Void. The Party Horde gathers around the main circle of campers. Who knows how many people there are. More than a couple hundred and they despite days of booze and fun, they still seem filled of energy. Aleksei stands in front of his camper dressed up nice. He has his patchwork jacket and top hat. He has a bottle of Kracken rum in his hand. A car pulls up to the gathering and the people move aside.
Weapon X and Viper get out of the car. The crowd cheers and despite not knowing most of the Horde, X and his wife seem pleased with the group. They walk over to Aleksei. He hands both of them empty shot glasses. Weapon X starts to give it back but Aleksei insist. He mouths the words “trust me” before speaking to the group.
Aleksei: Tomorrow night the Horde will move to the Void! All of us will go in force to have fun, drink some crappy beer and take the tag titles from Sinful Obsession. Weapon X and I will be entering the ring but all of you are a part of this battle. Every time you cheer that moves us closer to victory. Now Weapon X did not come from the Horde. He walks a different path but decided to put that all aside to work with me. That makes him family. That makes him part of the Horde. So lets raise our glasses and have a *little* drink to welcome him.
Weapon X hesitates a moment but then accepts Aleksei drink. Everyone in the group raise up their various drinks. Hundreds of people focused on a simple action, a sign of respect. Following Aleksei lead everyone drinks than cheers so loud that for the briefest moment a huge chunk of Sin City can hear them.
Aleksei: Now let’s go win ourselves a championship!!!
