[The time has come, and Rido Kuran awakens.

The sound of an ominous wet sloshing sounds over the airwaves, followed by a sudden muted slapping of wet flesh upon a bare floor. A stillness envelopes the transmission as silent as the grave, only broken by the sound of a single 'drip… drip… drip…'

When the video transmission finally flickers to life, the corner of Rido's mouth quirks into a sardonic grin, exposing the sharpened fangs in his mouth. Blood soaks his face and body, dripping wetly off of the drenched lengths of his dark hair. Stretching, the Pureblood takes a deep breath, relishing the scent hanging lazily on the air around him.]

How very restful~... and no chains to wake up to as well.

I suppose I should ‘thank ’ you for this, and for seeing that I was undisturbed while I slept, ‘Sentience’.  I don't suppose you've thought  to prepare some clothes for me as well?

[It was time.

The pieces were quickly taking their places on the board, drawn by the irresistible pull of the Purebloods that orchestrated this little game. It was ever the same amongst his kind, each master playing some game within a game, and it was something that Rido excelled at, even here.

The inhabitants were calling for blood, retribution for the thing called Hatsuharu’s death. It was ridiculous just how bent up they were getting over such a trivial matter. But with Rido in such a weakened state, it was something he couldn’t ignore. There was time to deal with them later once this whole annoyance was over with, once he’d given them what they wanted. Maybe then he could have room to breathe.

Sitting back, Rido propped his feet up on the metal bar that separated the front row of theater seats from the main screen. The large room was as still as the crypt, the flat white screen devoid of the life that commonly played about on its surface. Yet the Pureblood could only feel an eager anticipation to see just how things would play out.]

Soon, very soon our wait will be over with.

[A slow smile crept on his face, and he called out to the others that awaited his signal.]

Both of you, come here. I’d like to have a few words before the excitement begins.

[ooc: So that everyone involved in the Rido Hunt can participate and interact during the event, I have split up the thread into team areas to respond. You can tag into any of team threads, but the main battle thread is reserved for Kaname and Rido only. (And for the arrival of your team, please tag into your own Team thread initially.)

Please feel free to contact me if there are any questions.]

[It has been somewhat annoying, all of this running, being the prey instead of the hunter, but Muraki still finds himself more amused than he has been the entire time since he arrived here in this prison. He is not one who takes doing nothing, blandly complying to the rule and playing the role of the good inmate for too long.

But it's gone on too long, and thanks to Rido's little pet, they know that the hunting parties are shortly on their way. But Muraki does not intend to let himself be caught.

For some time now, he has been lounging in the bedroom of the little apartment they have taken as they own for now--storing up his energy to prepare for what may come--as Rido spends quality time with the boy in the living room. But he's bored and it amuses him to see Rido playing with the blond. Getting up, he makes his way out of the room and toward the living room area.

He shall see how things turn out with all of this and what moves will be for his own benefit.]

[The video flickers to life, zoomed in to a closeup of the pureblood vampire's narrowed red and blue colored eyes. His mouth is twisted in a small smile, clearly pleased to be able to play with the prison's many inhabitants once again.]

This is exciting, isn't it? What fun this place is~

But what's a game without raising the stakes? I disappear, you follow, and now I bring 'other' pieces into the mix.

[Rido turns, angling the camera down to include a seated figure slumped up against a wall, head bowed, hair disheveled and tangled, eyes shaded from view. The older man kneels down beside his captive, reaching out to brush his fingers through the boy's blond hair.]

What will you do now~?

( Private to Kaname )

[Rido sits amidst the shadows of what looks like some sort of waiting area. Tall potted plants decorate the corner, and a couple of small tables rest on either side of the couch on which he is seated. The area is quiet, only occasionally transmitting the sounds of faint voices or footsteps in the background. Yet Rido’s body is relaxed, leaning back and tapping his fingers on the arm of the couch.

Even through the dim lighting of the recessed area, it’s quite obvious from the expression on the man’s face that he’s growing bored.

But it’s the sound of someone approaching that breaks the monotony of the scene, and his miscolored eyes are drawn to the footfalls like a moth to the flame. His mouth pulls into a slow smile, and he speaks, raising his hand to the person off screen.]

Hey, you. Come here.

( Vampiric content continued )

… prison? Heheh… Prison??? And chains too.

[His laughter starts softly, a deep chuckle that slowly rises in volume until it threatens to consume the airwaves with its maddened cacophony. It takes a minute before the mirth finally slows to a dangerous stillness, But when it does, his words spill over the network like a suffocating wave of darkness.]

How priceless~

Sentience, is it? Well, you've got my attention at least. I’m not sure how you brought me here, or how you intend to hold me. But I will not be bound by one such as you…

[The camera flickers on to show a pair of miscolored eyes, one a deep blue, the other a vibrant red. The man’s mouth is pressed into a tight smile as he gazes intently into the device.]

You’ve caused me a great inconvenience by bringing me here, especially at the moment you did…

Is my nephew Kaname behind this? Answer me.