Bakula Kalanit, 12. District 7 Male.
"Bakula, breakfast is ready!" Viola yelled up to her son, trying in a vain attempt to wake the young boy who was probably still asleep in his room. But with Bakula you could never be too sure, especially given his track record. But still with no answer from the child she yelled out once more.
"Bakula!"
Nothing. No response, no nothing. With a normal child it would just mean that he was still asleep and didn't hear them. However, Bakula was not exactly what one would call a normal child.
Viola's husband, Robert, let out a light sigh and asked. "You want me to get him?"
"Could you please?" Viola responded, somewhat reluctantly. "You're better with him than I am anyway."
Robert nodded, and after picking up his walking cane he began to make his way upstairs. He began to wonder what the little cuss-bucket had in store for him this time. As he climbed the stairs he began to get just a little bit excited. He knew no matter what Bakula threw at him he could handle, the child wasn't really that clever, however it was always fun to see what the kid had planned. However once he reached the top of the stairs and saw his son's door closed he couldn't help but to feel just a little disappointing.
Really? He's going this route? Robert thought as he made his way to his son's room. The boy never closed his door, so obviously something was going to happen once he opened. As such he made sure he was still standing away from the doorway once he turned the knob and flung the door open.
As if right on que, Bakula let out an... Attempt at a monster's scream? It was really hard to tell. However he stopped once he realized his father wasn't exactly there to be surprised. Robert on the other hand couldn't help but to chuckle as his son poked his head into the hallway to check where his dad was, wearing the same cheap rubber monster mask his parents got him during last year's October Festivals.
"Better luck next time kiddo." Robert said with a smile. "Come on, your mom has breakfast ready."
Bakula couldn't help but to let out a light huff as he took off his mask and tossed it back into his room, not watching where it lands. He really should of figured that plan wouldn't of worked, but he didn't exactly feel like wasting any of his better ideas on his parents. They'd likely kill him if he tried any of his best stuff anyway.
Marching down the stairs like the 'good little boy' that he is, he was quickly greeted by his mother and two of his three siblings. The older, 18 year old Lillian sat silently as she ate her breakfast as Bakula's younger brother, Callum, was busy playing with his scrambled eggs like the ten year old child he is.
"Where's Fleur?" Bakula calmly asked, earning himself a tired sigh from his mother.
"She already went the Foster's house." Viola responded, mildly annoyed. "I'd figure she'd wanna spend time with her family today of all days, but what do I know?"
Robert, on the other hand, just shrugged. "She's 16, she can do what she wants."
"On a normal day, yes. But today..." Viold simply trailed off from there as both Bakula and Lillian looked at each other knowing full well what she meant. Today was the reaping, and either one of them or Fleur could be selected to basically die today. Needless to say it was understandable why their mother was on edge. Robert, noticing this, hastily tried to change the subject.
"So, Lillian, you excited to start your new job soon."
"Oh uh... Yeah." Lillian said, still trying not to let nerves get the better of her. Today was her last reaping after all, and while she would soon be free of that hell her odds of getting drawn were the highest they've ever been. Not to mention now she had little Bakula to worry about as well. The kid annoyed the hell out of her at times, but the idea of him being reaped still didn't sit well with her.
Soon, the family finished their meal and after getting ready began to set out for the Town Square. Nobody aside from hyper little Callum talked much, really. Today wasn't exactly a day to be happy for. No matter what two families were going home without their children, and odds on both would watch as their son and daughter died on national television. Praying that such a thing would simply be another family's burden wasn't fun for anyone to do, but it's still what they did. After all, better somebody else suffers that loss instead of you. Being able to still to hug your child and send them to bed at night is a far better thing than knowing they're likely never coming home.
Eventually they made their way to the town square and after they were checked in everyone went to their designated areas. Callum and their parents going off to the family sections, Lillian to the older kid's groups, and Bakula off to the younger kid's. There he met up with his two best friends in the world, 12 year old Jasmine and 13 year old Vale.
"Hey guys, what up!" Bakula said as he approached his friends.
"Oh nothing, just the ever looming threat of death." Vale blurted out, causing Jasmine to chuckle.
"Haha, good one." Bakula said, laughing a little as well. "But seriously, you guys wanna hang out after this?"
"Oh hell yes!" Jasmine exclaimed, obviously excited. "You wanna execute Operation Burning Bum on Mr. Fraser?"
"Oh I thought you would never ask!" Bakula stated with excitement. "Vale, you got the supplies yet?"
"I have the lighter and bag, yes. My dog will have the last thing within the next few hours." Vale responded plainly. "So the plan should be ready to go by tonight."
"Perfect!" Bakula said, getting almost giddy. "This is gonna be so good."
"I've already got my brother to cover for us with the peacekeepers so we should be fine!" Jasmine whispered to the two as they nodded to her.
This would go on for the next half hour or so as the trio did their best to distract themselves from the obvious fear of today. Even if their odds of getting drawn weren't high, they weren't the only ones they were each worried about. All of them had siblings and other friends at risk today, and the odds of somebody they care about getting reaped were pretty high. But in the end there was nothing they could do but to try and distract themselves from that fear and hope that maybe, just maybe, that nothing would happen and that everything would be fine.
Soon, however, their escort Frankie jumped onto the stage and screamed into the microphone like a wild beast.
HELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOO DISTRICT 7!" Frankie yelled. "Ladies and Gentlemen I hope you're all excited for this one, because I got a feeling this year is gonna be a good one! Before me I see strong, brave, passionate children who are ready and have what it takes to defy the odds and bring home honor to this fine District you call home! Also, joining me on stage, we have our 5 amazing Victors! Including this year's mentors, Ivan Braks and Yovan Clestro! Give these fine folks a round of applause everyone!"
Bakula and his friends simply clapped with the rest of the crowd as he couldn't help but to roll his eyes at the guy. Frankie had always annoyed the crap out of him. He was so weird and kind of freaky with his greaser hairdo and awful, gaudy orange jacket that he must think looks amazing even though it makes everyone who sees it kind of wanna throw up. But from there the man continued.
"Yeah yeah, take it in while you can you guys. Cause I get the feeling you'll be sharing that spotlight real soon! " Frankie said jokingly to the 5 Victors on stage, earning himself a few pity laughs for his attempt at 'humor'. "Now with that said let's turn it over to our lovey Mayor, Miss Clive Ursa!"
The mayor then went on to give the same speech she would always give every year, and Bakula had to fight off the urge to fall asleep. He always understood why this speech was "Important", the Capitol wanted to rub in their win from almost a hundred years ago in everyone's faces and remind them why they're so great, but the least they could do is make it more exciting. But doing that would take too much work and clearly if it ain't directly making kids kill kids it isn't in the budget! But regardless the speech soon ended and Bakula's incoming panic would surely be enough to keep him awake for the rest of this awful event.
"Well with that out of the way folks, lets get right into it! Remember kiddos, the rules are simple. If your name is drawn, just come right on up and take your spot on stage! And don't be too scared." Frankie said as he moved in a little closer to the mic to whisper "I hear they're rigging it so we win this year."
"ANYWAY LET'S GET RIGHT INTO IT! As always, ladies first!"
Bakula's eyes soon found themselves fixated onto Frankie as the man reached into the bowl and pulled out a name. Please be somebody else he thought. Anybody but Fleur, Lillian, and Jamine. Please, anybody but them!
However, his prayers would go unanswered as the worst possible thing happened then and there.
"FLEUR KALANIT, STEP RIGHT UP!"
"NO!" Bakula screamed out, his horror thankfully covered up by the general commotion of the crowd. Vale and Jasmine's faces dropped at the name too. After all, their friend's sister was just sent into the Hunger Games. Jasmine was somewhat glad it wasn't her, but in the end they knew that in that instant that things had shifted.
But little did the three know, that it would only get worse from there.
Bakula stood there in shock. He wanted to cry, run to his sister, and save her from doom. But the armed men around them would simply shoot him down as soon as he stepped out of line, a fact he was all too aware of as they followed his sister to the stage.
Soon Fleur took her place on stage and shook the hand of the man who just sentenced her to death.
"Oh man, that's the handshake of a winner I tell ya! But, we don't even know if you really are our tribute yet Missy!" Frankie then turned to the crowd and said "ARE THERE ANY VOLUNTEERS TO TAKE MISS KALANIT'S PLACE!"
Bakula noticed the intense look in Fleur's eyes as she looked into the crowd, shaking her head and mouthing "No". He couldn't tell where she was looking, but if he knew Fleur he knew it would be at Lillian. After all, who else would volunteer but her?
Soon the moment passed and Frankie started up again.
"Well then, everyone give it up for Fleur Kalanit!" Frankie said, drumming up some more applause from the crowd. "Anyway, with that said, let's get right into the men. Shall we?"
Bakula didn't know what to think anymore. His sister was going to die. There was no way she was going to make it out of this alive. No way in hell. Sure she was strong, but those kids from the upper districts have trained for years! They'll rip her to shreds in an instant! There's no way she could win! No way in hell!
But that wasn't the only thing Bakula had to worry about, especially after he noticed the look on Frankie's face. How could anyone miss the normally loud, boisterous, and confident man's face drop in horror as he saw the name. Something was wrong. It had to be. Who's name could possibly even cause that...
Oh no...
"Ba-"
No no no!
"Ba-"
Please don't do this now!
Frankie took a quick moment to compose himself as he looked to Bakula's sister, his face full of regret, and in that moment Bakula knew who's name was on that slip.
"Bakula Kalanit!"
He was dead. There was no way around it. Tiny, defenseless Bakula had no shot at winning the Hunger Games. Not when there were so many bigger and stronger opponents that needed to be taken down. Sure, sponsors may take pity on them and fund them, but that would only really help his sister. Bakula was doomed, and there was nothing he could do about it. But maybe... Maybe he could do something.
The Games were rigged, obviously. Everyone and their mothers knew that. The Gamemakers would do everything in their power to make sure the more interesting and beloved Tributes would make it far. It's no shock that's why more boring Tributes tend to get the ax early on, sometimes literally. As such, Bakula did the one thing he could do in this situation.
He stood up, not bothering to look at the shocked faces of his friends, and began to march out angerly into the sight of everyone. He didn't look at their faces, or scan the crowd for his family. He had one person set straight within his sights. That annoying freaking escort and his awful orange jacket.
Once he reached the stairs, he blew up like no 12 year old should.
"YOU FUCKING SON OF A BITCH!" He yelled out, taking both his sister and Frankie by shock. "YOU THINK YOU'RE SO COOL WITH YOU'RE SHITTY FUCKING JACKET AND NASTY ASS HAIR, BUT NO! FUCK YOU AND EVERYTHING YOU STAND FOR!"
The hell is this kid doing?! Frankie thought to himself as the child continued.
"You must be SOOOOOO fucking happy to be doing this! 'Oh yeah I'll just send in this kid and his fucking sister. THAT'LL BE A GREAT IDEA! I bet their deaths will make great TV, fuck yeah let's do it!' WELL NO, FUCK YOU!" Bakula continued. "WE WILL FUCKING GET OUT OF THAT HELL HOLE IF YOU LIKE IT OR NOT! AND WHEN WE DO, WE WILL KICK YOUR GOD DAMN ASS FOR THIS YOU PIECE OF SHIT!"
As Frankie looked down at the small child screaming at him, he realized what he was doing. It wasn't obvious to most, but this kid was smart. There's no way any normal person would do something like this when their lives are on the line. Doing so would be throwing your life away. But this kid wasn't senselessly screaming, he was setting himself up for success. He wasn't cursing the Capitol, his word were directed at Frankie alone. The blame was on him and only him. Anybody who would do this wouldn't just hit the escort, but the Capitol for allowing this. All the while proclaiming that both he and his sister would make it out alive of all things! Even with Crane's twist happy mindset, two tributes being able to live wasn't that common of a twist. It only happened 5 times since Katniss and Peeta survived their games, and only twice did they ever succeed. And yet here this kid was, saying the both him and his sister would survive. This wasn't irrational screaming. This kid was setting himself up for success.
Maybe it was senseless of him to do so, but Frankie couldn't help but to feel a bit hopeful. Maybe he didn't mess up by picking siblings. After all, this kid wouldn't be doing this if his sister wasn't reaped too. At first, he thought these two were dead. But now?
Well, maybe, just maybe, these two would make it out alright.
A/N: And there you have it kids! I really hope you enjoyed Bakula. I had a lot of fun writing for him and can't wait to see where he and his sister go from here! Thanks once again to Golden Moon Huntress for Bakula.
Anyway be sure to review telling me what you thought of the chapter and Bakula himself. I still have a lot of space left for you to submit to this story so feel free to send in your tributes! Once again the form is on my profile, just send it to me via PM and we'll be good to go!
With that said, I'll see you guys tomorrow, when we go to District 8 and visit a Tribute who's filled to the brim with her own emotional baggage! If you can't tell I'm really excited for that one, haha. Anyway that's it for me, take care you guys!