And so it begins...

Nathaniel Vice's POV

I love the smell of waffles and having breakfast in bed. It reminds me of my childhood, a time when I used to play with toy soldiers and pretend they were fighting in glorious battles. Now I play with the lives of 24 children on national television every year. Only this time the blood and slaughter isn't make-believe. It's real.

I hate my nostalgic moments; they always put me in a bad mood. And no-one likes me when I'm in a bad mood. There is one thing however, that has me incredibly excited this morning. My Avox servant lays down my waffles and strawberry mousse on my lap while I giggle impatiently like a child.

Today is the day that President Swift opens the card for this year's Quarter Quell; written down and kept hidden for the past 225 years. I have a particular reason to be excited about the news. As Chief Game-maker I need to use this information to design my arena. Of course I have a basic design already, a rather exciting and revolutionary one in my opinion. But without the special rulings my plans are just simply incomplete.

The role of Chief Game-maker is not as simple as everyone thinks it is. It is my job to make the games exciting! I need to get into the minds of the tributes, try to understand them on such a level that I can anticipate their actions, and trigger certain responses in the arena. If I don't; if it's boring or lacks any entertainment value, then it's my head on the chopping block. I've had this job for the past three years now so at least I have some experience, but this Quarter Quell might just prove to be too challenging for me.

I turn on my TV just as President Swift just as steps forward to the microphone. Talk about good timing.

He begins the same way he has for the past 12 years of his presidency. "This year we celebrate 225 years of peace and prosperity among the districts. It is through hard work and dedication from every citizen of Panem that makes this nation what is it today. It is now time to open the Card left to us by our forefathers, and formally begin this, the 225th Hunger Games and 9th Quarter Quell!"

The sound of applause nearly breaks the speakers on my television. I honestly don't know why everyone loves this guy. It seems like every new president that takes over is more selfish and self-absorbed than the one that came before. However, Swift does seem able to hide it better than most.

President Swift reaches off-screen and brings back a rather dusty old envelope. It's a miracle that it has lasted the test of time for so long. "The Instructions read thus: To remind the rebels that the Capitol is capable of both cruelty and mercy in equal measure, and to this day still has the power to do so, there will be no cornucopia this year!"

The crowd murmurs, this is nothing new. The tributes have been deprived of the Cornucopia before. It just makes for a more violent bloodbath, with kids being throttled and beaten to death rather than slashed and hacked.

President Snow holds up his hand for silence. "That is the cruelty that the Capitol can perform. Depriving tributes of weapons, supplies and equipment, thus crippling their chances of survival. However, as mentioned the Capitol also offers leniency and mercy. As such each tribute will begin the games alone, away from their enemies and safe from all harm."

Now this is new. I don't think I've heard of a Games where more than 20 kids have survived the initial bloodbath. To have all 24 running around at one time? This could be interesting. A thought suddenly pops into my head. The crowds won't like the tributes just being left alone, and where are they going to find weapons? It could backfire very heavily on President Swift –and therefore me - if these games turn into a brute strength contest. No-one enjoys seeing the stronger kids pulverize the weaker ones all the time. It is much more exciting to see the smaller kids outsmart and outwit the bigger ones. Everyone loves an underdog.

There needs to be a way to level the playing field. And maybe there is a way, in keeping with the theme of the Quarter Quell.

I have an idea, but I need to time to think this through. Perhaps I can salvage this situation...

Sorry if this chapter was a little short guys, just trying to set the scene for the Reapings and such.

Let me know what you all think? :)