deorum collectio :: mayors [89]

In five decades worth of work, Valentino has never learned to accept failure. Grief, pain, disappointment - sure, that all comes with being a father, but failure? As a mayor, he's done his job to keep the district afloat, his people are fed with the increase of work. The children are educated with the creation of new schools, teenagers are taught self defense classes so the next generation is strong. 

Valentino, through everything, has always been strong. 

As he steps onto the stage of the Mayoralty Banquet, he thinks of the failure that happened during their last gathering. Are we done with the games? Almost like clockwork, the mayors meet for a week and the Council shuts the world down, peacekeepers marching through Seven to escort civilians to their homes - to push guests out from the Salazar home. Valentino has always been a man on the Capitol's good side, loyalist in the nature of wanting to be left alone. 

When he comes to values, though, he truly is only here for himself. Valentino had given a speech on the stage, starting it off with an inconspicuous, "I'm pleased to welcome you all to my home... again," as a gesture to make the best of their circumstances. He watches his tongue as he speaks, a paranoid man is a cautious one and he knows better than to think they won't shut the Districts down a second time. Somewhere in the room is an earpiece to the Capitol, but he worries not. 

The body of his speech talks about the upcoming election, how "I believe during these difficult times, the most we can do as the voices of Panem," he says, both hands on the pedestal, "is come together." 

Oh, what the Council will think. 

"Let's kick off the next five years, together, one last time before the next election. I hope to see you all again in my home come the 95th," he grins something hopeful, nodding towards Mayor Izar in the District 11 table. He's never been one to tell an old dog when to quit - Salazar's spent too much time building these relationships up to watch any of his peers drop out of office. 

Well, perhaps the Strauss. 

Valentino's always struggled with wicked women. 

He ends his speech off with an appreciation for the other Mayors work the last term - in gratitude, most guests' cutlery is bound by a silver ring, the year 85 carved into the setting to date their time together. A small gesture to keeping each other in power. Valentino knows grief, of loss, remembers it as he kisses his wife before they leave the stage together. 

In the new age, though, Valentino will not know failure.