Syrio Salazar

Master of Ceremonies

It was that time of year again. The time of year that sends the hair on the back of your neck dancing about in an excitable jig. That time of year that gets your heart racing and your blood flowing. That marvelous time of year that gets the cogs in your brain moving, speculating on the upcoming spectacle that is the Games. Syrio Salazar sat in his plush velvet chair, a hyena-like grin forming beneath his handlebar mustache. The Hunger Games were back, and he couldn't be happier. Not only did he get his juicy annual pay raise, but he finally had something worthwhile to talk about on his show. With this being the twenty-fifth year, he had so much more.

Clapping his hands together fancifully, his steely blue eyes turned to the center cameras. Overhead lights illuminated his dashing features, his powder blue suit and tie glittering every so slightly. "Ladies and gentlemen. Boys and girls! It is I, Syrio Salazar, your Master of Ceremonies and do I have some news for you," his voice boomed throughout the room.

The man had always had a stage presence, it's what landed him the job in the first place. His natural charisma and willingness to be bold and vulnerable in front of the entire country is what had allowed him to keep it. To Syrio, he was the face of the Games. No one who watched was unsure of who Syrio Salazar was. Everyone knew his name! It was just the way he liked it and exactly how it would remain.

"Just this morning we had a little tidbit of information leak from the Head Gamemaker himself," Syrio continued placing a gloved hand over his "o" shaped lips. As if the news was scandalous and wasn't greenlighted by the President himself. "Yes, you heard that right my friends, Archie Ryland has just revealed that this year, the twenty-fifth year of the Hunger Games, will be the mysterious Quarter Quell."

The simulated crowd cheered and hollered, though Syrio was certain folks were jumping out of their seats back home. If not, are they really a Panemian? Who in their right mind didn't enjoy this joyous event? Who in their right mind would be opposed to the most beloved celebration in the nation? The thought was lost on him.

"Now some of you may be asking yourself what that means. Lucky for you, I happen to have the scoop," Syrio chuckled eerily, his laugh dying off as he leaned closer and closer to the cameras. "This year, and every twenty-five years to come, the Games will be paired with a devious new twist. A twist that will make things a heck of a lot more interesting for fans. A reward for our undying loyalty to this great nation."

Pulling an ornate box from a drawer to his left, Syrio held it up for all to see. "What you see here is our chest of treasure. Hundreds of twists for the President himself to choose at random. We're in for a real treat ladies and gents. I can feel it!" Setting the box to the side the Master of Ceremonies leaned forward once more, his smile growing unnaturally wide, "We're not the only ones who are in for a treat. As it is a Quarter Quell, a unique and spectacular event, our beloved Head Gamemaker of the last five years, Archibald Ryland, will have an extension on his arena budget. This little gift will allow him to create an arena that is unlike any we have seen before. Who here is as excited as I am, it's not just me right?" Syrio roared along with the false crowd before him. "Tomorrow the President himself will announce the Quell twist, and not too long after that will be our Reapings. Start speculating folks, I would love to hear your thoughts. Goodnight Panem!"

With his closing statement, the lights dimmed and he was out of the spotlight. Though it didn't matter, he would soon return. These Games were going to be the biggest yet, and he its star.

Regulus Hearting

President of Panem

The sun shone brightly through the Presidential mansion, as Regulus Hearting slowly forced himself from his bed. His muscles weak from age, the man nearly tripped over his own two feet cursing to himself as he did so. He never wanted any of this. Running the nation was never his desire, that was Regina's dream. His wife wasn't personable enough, however, and so like the good little husband Regulus agreed to be her puppet. A decision he was quickly beginning to regret.

The woman was fanatical. Her desire to keep the Districts on their knees and the Capitol in power was something he never understood but went along with anyway. It was his lack of a spine that would doom this nation he loved so dearly.

Today he would stand in front of thousands with a smile on his face as he read the parchment that would spell out doom for the Districts. He was sure they hated him. Sure they plotted his demise, but he was in far too deep to make much of a real difference. What was he to do? Rid himself of his wife? No. It wasn't an option and so, he would simply observe. Observe how she runs his country into the ground. He only hoped there would be enough rubble to rebuild it.

He grabbed a silky robe that hung from a decorative hanger and slid into it hastily before motioning to a medicine cabinet. The was cabinet near above a lavish mahogany vanity. Regulus sat down in front of it avoiding his sad eyes in the mirror as he pulled the morphling from its case, staring at it for a moment before slowly injecting it into his arm. He let out a groan as the clear liquid entered his bloodstream and in an instant, his physical pain vanished. The same couldn't be said for the ache in his soul.

Reluctantly, Regulus continued to ready himself for Regina's big day. Although the Quell was meant to be random it was his understanding that Regina had chosen the twist herself. She wanted the Districts to hurt. To fear the Capitol and what they might do. What better way than to tear their families to shreds?

"Darling? Are you almost finished? The cameramen are here," Regina called from outside his bedroom door. Her singsong voice once gave him butterflies. Though he now could confidently say they had all died along with the hope of things changing for the better.

"Of course my love, just a moment." The sound of his own voice seemed almost foreign to him. He only heard it during big events like these and when he was on television. It was raspy and frail. Regulus would go as far as to say sickly.

Looking to the vanity once more. Seeing the shell of the man he once was sent a chill down his spine. A chill that was ignored as Regulus Hearting, President of all Panem, motioned to the door to face the music.

Regina Hearting

First Lady of Panem

Weak. He had always been a little man with a fragile heart and a small mind but the people loved him. Something Regina couldn't say herself. If she had a penny for every dirty look that was thrown her way she wouldn't have needed to marry such an oaf. Though it didn't matter. The man delivered the country to her on a silver platter just as he promised he would. That's what counts.

Arm locked in his she led him through the winding halls of the presidential mansion. He had a simple job to do and so help him if he messed it up. Regulus had always been a good little puppy dog but like any puppy, he learned what happened when he failed.

As they reached the balcony where he was Regulus was to give his speech, the man stopped in his tracks. "Is this really the right thing to do Regina, my love?" He managed to cough out.

With narrowed eyes, the woman tightened her grip on him. "Excuse me?" She replied daringly.

"I believe the Districts have suffered enough. Why make things harder for them than they already are"

"Because they're vermin. They moved against the Capitol and were punished for it," she let out with a chilling cackle, "they should be lucky they aren't all dead."

Avoiding her gaze, the President slowly nodded. Good boy. Now get on that balcony, Regina thought to herself. The look on her face must have said it all. Almost instantly Regulus' demeanor changed. His usual frown stretched into a wide goofy smile and his posture perked up. He was a completely different person.

She watched as he charged out onto the balcony like some kind of hero, hooting and hollering. Arms raised up in the air. "Hello, hello Panem! What do we got?" He cried.

"HEART!" The crowd roared back loud enough to make the ground shake.

"What was that? I didn't hear you?" He cried out once more.

"WE'VE GOT HEART!"

"That's what I like to hear," Regulus cheered. "Now as you know we're all gathered here today for a very, very special occasion."

The crowd grew silent. Hanging on the mans every word, eager smiles growing on their faces. Men, women, and children gleefully awaiting the sentence to be carried out of their District neighbors.

"The Quarter Quell… our very first Quarter Quell for that matter. It is a turning point for this great nation and the ideals we uphold. Twenty-five years after the rebellion, it is a reminder to the rebels that families were torn apart as a result of their foolish war," he paused. Letting the words sink in. "And so, on this very special year, the reaping pool will consist of pairs. Siblings, one male and one female!"

There were gasps all around. Regina felt butterflies in her stomach, absolute utter joy. She could only imagine how the Districts are reacting right now. She could only imagine the heartbreak. The agony they must be feeling. Little did they know, it would only get better.

After a dramatic pause, the President continued. "This twist will leave the pair's direct relatives as the only eligible volunteers." The crowd went wild. The age gap had been eliminated. The dynamics of these games would be unlike any they had ever seen before.

Regina walked slowly up to the balcony beside her husband. Putting on as nice a smile as she could muster, she placed her hand on her husband's shoulder. "Well done my dearest," she whispered.

Regulus looked to her emotionlessly and in the same instant looked back to the crowd with a smile. "Happy Hunger Games my dearest Panem!"

A tight hand around his waist, Regina waved to the crowd with genuine glee. "And to the Districts, may the odds be ever in your favor."

Hey everyone it's Pan! This is the very first chapter in my Blood and Water story. I have a form on my profile for you to submit to. Cant' wait to hear your thoughts and read about your tributes!