[ESSAY] Death Note in Camp
I swore I would never really essay, and yet, here I am. Light's behavior in camp has been deviating from his behavior in canon recently, most notably in matters in how open he chooses to be about being Kira. So here are my perceptions and also some explanations, as well as some future speculation.
DEATH NOTE SPOILERS AHEAD.
Kira Activities
Light has been keeping up his activities as Kira while in camp. Specifically, he's been continuing to kill criminals. Camp exists in a different time than Light's canon (There's a three year gap), so in order to ensure that things are progressing normally in Light's canon in his absence (to avoid situations like "Light went to camp and then the murders stopped"), the news sites he reads are from his world and are accurate to his canon. On the same note, the news sites that his computer in camp accesses will have information on Kira and the latest Kira murders.
Issues with Staying Hidden
In canon, Light is very easily able to remain hidden up to this point in canon. No one knows about the Notes, and there is nothing but speculation to tie him to the Kira murders. He has his own room to hide in. He's able to create elaborate ruses involving explosive modifications to his desk and TVs hidden in potato chip bags, thanks to his family's high-income status. And most importantly, no one can see Ryuk.
Contrast this with camp, where Light is sharing living space and his money accounts for absolutely nothing. Sure, he's able to improvise, but while he was in the know about things like people entering his room while he was away back home, he doesn't have that luxury here. Given the nature of camp, anyone could be going through his things at any time. And he can't even keep the Note on him at all times because he'd be absolutely SCREWED were he to bodyswitch. And to top it all off, half of camp can see Ryuk. It's VERY HARD for Light to keep the Notes hidden, and it's really kind of a wonder that things have gone on this long. He's very careful, but there are always unknown variables flying around in camp, and sooner or later, one of them is going to blow his cover.
Furthermore, the existence of Notes is known in camp, which means Light's cover has been partially blown ALREADY. So far, everyone who knows has the sense to keep their mouths shut, so thankfully this is not much of an issue.
Note Usage
Light's fairly careful about who he kills in canon, and why. Criminals, suspected criminals, and those who know too much. It's very easy for Light to dispose of his enemies quickly and permanently, so Light really only has one use for his Note.
A problem arises in camp where death is meaningless. Light has two options here; either he can put away the Note since it's now useless, or he can get an itchier trigger finger since there are now tons MORE uses for the Note. Since Light is in a camp filled with people much more powerful and CRAZY than he is, the Note is now a very valuable bargaining chip. Which means that despite his earlier stance on not using the Note as much so he doesn't get caught, he's now instead QUICKER to go for the pencil in order to protect himself or prove that he's someone not to be messed with.
What this means is that Light will be more willing to use the Note to accomplish a task or prove a point. And because death in camp is nothing short of a joke (to anyone but him), he doesn't feel any remorse for killing someone for those purposes.
In Case of Blown Cover...
In canon, Light has three different methods of dealing with people who know him to be Kira. Group A would be people who would be more dangerous to leave alive, like investigators. Group B would be people who would be more dangerous to kill, like Misa. And Group C would be those who aren't a threat, like Ryuk.
Anyone who fits into Group A has damaging information that would point to Light as Kira, and are therefore people who are immediately eliminated. Misora Naomi is the most prominent example, being the one who first knew that Kira could kill using means other than heart attacks.
The people in Group B are usually other Kira figures who could retaliate if Light were to turn on them-- OR people he can use. Misa is the biggest example, as Rem stated very clearly that she would kill Light if he were to kill Misa. These people are uneasy allies. Light's partnership with these people is based on control, and Light does everything in his power to ensure that HE is the one in charge. When they outlive their usefulness and are no longer a threat to him, he will eliminate them.
The people in Group C know Light to be Kira, but aren't a threat. Ryuk, for example, isn't on Light's side, but he isn't AGAINST Light, either. He neither confirms nor denies that Light is Kira. Death is the other who fits into this category, as she is well aware (and likely a little peeved) that Light is Kira, but can't interfere in these matters. Light is openly Kira around these sorts of people. NOTE: The Audience now fits into Group C.
Camp's moogles bring a whole new variable into the equation, and thus the rise of Group D.
Group D is full of people who would otherwise be in group A, but are unkillable. Light's normal tactic is to simply kill those who would expose him, but in camp, that doesn't work. So he has to improvise and resort to other means. So not only is he openly Kira around these people, but the tactics he employs to ensure their silence will vary from person to person, as what is effective against one person won't work against another. So he often has to resort to VERY unsavory means to ensure that those dangerous people keep quiet. LIGHT HATES THIS, but has accepted it as a necessity.
Ishida Uryuu
Oh snap! THERE HAS BEEN A MAJOR CHANGE. Ishida used to be the first notable figure in group D in that he knew Light was Kira and wanted to tell everyone. Or at least eliminate him as a threat. But they ACTUALLY got to talking, and Light learned a few things! Notably, the following:
- Ishida was killed by a Death Note before Light arrived. This is how he knows about them.
- Ishida didn't get along with the previous Death Note owner.
- The previous Death Note owner used their power irresponsibly.
- The previous Death Note owner was a male.
With this information, Light was able to narrow it down to a male from his world. This eliminated Misa (a tasty female!), and pointed straight at Near, seeing as how he went by the same naming convention as L and knew EVERYTHING about Light's family life. It was kind of a shot in the dark, but Ishida confirmed it. THIS PISSED LIGHT OFF HARDCORE, but not at Ishida. But rather, he kind of understood where Ishida was coming from. ALSO, Ishida was told the following by Light:
- LIGHT IS JUSTICE. Or rather, acts for justice.
- Light WILL NOT kill everyone in camp. He was bluffing; he won't kill innocent people.
- But Ishida was an exception since he knew too much and was hostile.
- Light DOES NOT CONDONE using the Note stupidly. (Unless he's the one to do it.)
This has led to Light's suggestion that they "start over", since their initial meeting and subsequent hatred of each other was the result of a rather large misunderstanding. Which means that Ishida and Light have now entered into an uneasy, but peaceful, truce. And Ishida has dropped from Group D (Threats I can't kill) to Group C (Not a threat.) Light will continue to be openly Kira to Ishida since there's no point in hiding it, but he'll no longer be antagonizing him unless Ishida starts shit.
Dietrich von Lohengrin
Though this has only been explored in AU so far, the relationship of Kira and Marionettenspieler will most likely be mostly unchanged in camp should it surface. Dietrich is a very dangerous Group B type; too powerful to be controlled (group D), and too dangerous to be dismissed as a threat (group C). Unlike Misa, Dietrich doesn't WANT to be controlled by Light, and Light pretty obviously doesn't want to be at Dietrich's mercy, either. This leaves them at a fairly violent stalemate.
The recurring theme between them is "Anything you can do, I can do better." Anything one dishes out, the other can retaliate with. And so things escalate until they're both reduced to wrecks. And then they call a truce, regroup, and then turn around and begin the cycle anew. It would be easier if one were always at a clear advantage. Face-to-face, Dietrich has the upper hand in that he can easily render Light completely helpless. But at a distance, Light is at a distinct advantage in that he can control Dietrich for weeks just as long as he has enough time to himself to write the details down.
So things go. Should Light be exposed as Kira to Dietrich, and Dietrich exposed as Marionettenspieler to Light, they'll most likely be caught up in their fatal pissing contests until one of them submits. And it's fairly unlikely that either will submit.
Addendum to Death/Losing the Note
In the past, I held a very firm belief that killing Light was a HUGE no-no because he would then lose the Note, and I would be forced into coming up with a way for him to come into contact with it again, not to mention the issue of once he loses the note seven times, he begins PERMANENTLY losing memories. However, this left me with an issue of fairness. Light is able and willing to murder nearly everyone in camp if he so chooses. But with that in effect, it's not very fair. Light holds a great deal of control over other characters, and therefore, I do by proxy.
Therefore, I've instated a permanent Final Fantasy Status Effect on Light. Effective immediately, Light is now permanently blessed (cursed?) with Reraise/Auto-Life. This means that when he dies, he will IMMEDIATELY be revived (at half health!), and will NOT go through the save points. With this in effect, I'm hoping that any death that occurs is not, well, permanent enough to count as a Note-losing offense. THEREFORE, if he dies, he will retain the Note and his memories, though he will still be traumatized by the experience. I hope this levels the playing field a bit.
What Happens After Death
Your first taste of how Light handles death is when Ryuk first offers Light the Shinigami eye trade. The power to see names in exchange for half his life span. Light immediately refused, saying he intended to rule over his new world for a very long time, and he couldn't give up any of his life span. Later, it's shown that Light indeed handles death VERY badly. Ignoring situations where he was EXPECTED to cry (L's death, Souichiro's death), Light's cried TWICE in Death Note, and both times when faced with death. In the first instance, there are visible tears when Souichiro puts a gun to Light's head and pulls the trigger. And in the second, Ryuk has just written Light's name in the note and Light spends the next forty seconds screaming that he doesn't want to die. He doesn't even TRY to be stoic about it. It scares the living hell out of him.
So aside from that, how does he handle his last moments? When Matsuda shoots Light in the hand, he doesn't even hesitate to continue writing Near's name. But when a torso shot is involved, Light goes NUTS. Completely unable to write, Light starts screaming near-incoherently for people that he'd forgotten he'd killed before finally pleading for Ryuk to finish the job and kill Near.
Which leads to his behavior after dying. After Light is revived, his mental state is a combination of the two extremes. The lingering terror that yes, he'd just DIED, and also the psychosis that goes with it. His mask completely shatters, and he's left a complete wreck. Depending on the situation, he'll either withdraw completely and go into shock (like his first camp death), or he'll go into an incoherent rage (his second camp death). BOTH situations are humiliating for Light, seeing as how he's completely out of control at this point, but it doesn't stop it from happening.
More to come as necessary.
DEATH NOTE SPOILERS AHEAD.
Kira Activities
Light has been keeping up his activities as Kira while in camp. Specifically, he's been continuing to kill criminals. Camp exists in a different time than Light's canon (There's a three year gap), so in order to ensure that things are progressing normally in Light's canon in his absence (to avoid situations like "Light went to camp and then the murders stopped"), the news sites he reads are from his world and are accurate to his canon. On the same note, the news sites that his computer in camp accesses will have information on Kira and the latest Kira murders.
Issues with Staying Hidden
In canon, Light is very easily able to remain hidden up to this point in canon. No one knows about the Notes, and there is nothing but speculation to tie him to the Kira murders. He has his own room to hide in. He's able to create elaborate ruses involving explosive modifications to his desk and TVs hidden in potato chip bags, thanks to his family's high-income status. And most importantly, no one can see Ryuk.
Contrast this with camp, where Light is sharing living space and his money accounts for absolutely nothing. Sure, he's able to improvise, but while he was in the know about things like people entering his room while he was away back home, he doesn't have that luxury here. Given the nature of camp, anyone could be going through his things at any time. And he can't even keep the Note on him at all times because he'd be absolutely SCREWED were he to bodyswitch. And to top it all off, half of camp can see Ryuk. It's VERY HARD for Light to keep the Notes hidden, and it's really kind of a wonder that things have gone on this long. He's very careful, but there are always unknown variables flying around in camp, and sooner or later, one of them is going to blow his cover.
Furthermore, the existence of Notes is known in camp, which means Light's cover has been partially blown ALREADY. So far, everyone who knows has the sense to keep their mouths shut, so thankfully this is not much of an issue.
Note Usage
Light's fairly careful about who he kills in canon, and why. Criminals, suspected criminals, and those who know too much. It's very easy for Light to dispose of his enemies quickly and permanently, so Light really only has one use for his Note.
A problem arises in camp where death is meaningless. Light has two options here; either he can put away the Note since it's now useless, or he can get an itchier trigger finger since there are now tons MORE uses for the Note. Since Light is in a camp filled with people much more powerful and CRAZY than he is, the Note is now a very valuable bargaining chip. Which means that despite his earlier stance on not using the Note as much so he doesn't get caught, he's now instead QUICKER to go for the pencil in order to protect himself or prove that he's someone not to be messed with.
What this means is that Light will be more willing to use the Note to accomplish a task or prove a point. And because death in camp is nothing short of a joke (to anyone but him), he doesn't feel any remorse for killing someone for those purposes.
In Case of Blown Cover...
In canon, Light has three different methods of dealing with people who know him to be Kira. Group A would be people who would be more dangerous to leave alive, like investigators. Group B would be people who would be more dangerous to kill, like Misa. And Group C would be those who aren't a threat, like Ryuk.
Anyone who fits into Group A has damaging information that would point to Light as Kira, and are therefore people who are immediately eliminated. Misora Naomi is the most prominent example, being the one who first knew that Kira could kill using means other than heart attacks.
The people in Group B are usually other Kira figures who could retaliate if Light were to turn on them-- OR people he can use. Misa is the biggest example, as Rem stated very clearly that she would kill Light if he were to kill Misa. These people are uneasy allies. Light's partnership with these people is based on control, and Light does everything in his power to ensure that HE is the one in charge. When they outlive their usefulness and are no longer a threat to him, he will eliminate them.
The people in Group C know Light to be Kira, but aren't a threat. Ryuk, for example, isn't on Light's side, but he isn't AGAINST Light, either. He neither confirms nor denies that Light is Kira. Death is the other who fits into this category, as she is well aware (and likely a little peeved) that Light is Kira, but can't interfere in these matters. Light is openly Kira around these sorts of people. NOTE: The Audience now fits into Group C.
Camp's moogles bring a whole new variable into the equation, and thus the rise of Group D.
Group D is full of people who would otherwise be in group A, but are unkillable. Light's normal tactic is to simply kill those who would expose him, but in camp, that doesn't work. So he has to improvise and resort to other means. So not only is he openly Kira around these people, but the tactics he employs to ensure their silence will vary from person to person, as what is effective against one person won't work against another. So he often has to resort to VERY unsavory means to ensure that those dangerous people keep quiet. LIGHT HATES THIS, but has accepted it as a necessity.
Ishida Uryuu
Oh snap! THERE HAS BEEN A MAJOR CHANGE. Ishida used to be the first notable figure in group D in that he knew Light was Kira and wanted to tell everyone. Or at least eliminate him as a threat. But they ACTUALLY got to talking, and Light learned a few things! Notably, the following:
- Ishida was killed by a Death Note before Light arrived. This is how he knows about them.
- Ishida didn't get along with the previous Death Note owner.
- The previous Death Note owner used their power irresponsibly.
- The previous Death Note owner was a male.
With this information, Light was able to narrow it down to a male from his world. This eliminated Misa (a tasty female!), and pointed straight at Near, seeing as how he went by the same naming convention as L and knew EVERYTHING about Light's family life. It was kind of a shot in the dark, but Ishida confirmed it. THIS PISSED LIGHT OFF HARDCORE, but not at Ishida. But rather, he kind of understood where Ishida was coming from. ALSO, Ishida was told the following by Light:
- LIGHT IS JUSTICE. Or rather, acts for justice.
- Light WILL NOT kill everyone in camp. He was bluffing; he won't kill innocent people.
- But Ishida was an exception since he knew too much and was hostile.
- Light DOES NOT CONDONE using the Note stupidly. (Unless he's the one to do it.)
This has led to Light's suggestion that they "start over", since their initial meeting and subsequent hatred of each other was the result of a rather large misunderstanding. Which means that Ishida and Light have now entered into an uneasy, but peaceful, truce. And Ishida has dropped from Group D (Threats I can't kill) to Group C (Not a threat.) Light will continue to be openly Kira to Ishida since there's no point in hiding it, but he'll no longer be antagonizing him unless Ishida starts shit.
Dietrich von Lohengrin
Though this has only been explored in AU so far, the relationship of Kira and Marionettenspieler will most likely be mostly unchanged in camp should it surface. Dietrich is a very dangerous Group B type; too powerful to be controlled (group D), and too dangerous to be dismissed as a threat (group C). Unlike Misa, Dietrich doesn't WANT to be controlled by Light, and Light pretty obviously doesn't want to be at Dietrich's mercy, either. This leaves them at a fairly violent stalemate.
The recurring theme between them is "Anything you can do, I can do better." Anything one dishes out, the other can retaliate with. And so things escalate until they're both reduced to wrecks. And then they call a truce, regroup, and then turn around and begin the cycle anew. It would be easier if one were always at a clear advantage. Face-to-face, Dietrich has the upper hand in that he can easily render Light completely helpless. But at a distance, Light is at a distinct advantage in that he can control Dietrich for weeks just as long as he has enough time to himself to write the details down.
So things go. Should Light be exposed as Kira to Dietrich, and Dietrich exposed as Marionettenspieler to Light, they'll most likely be caught up in their fatal pissing contests until one of them submits. And it's fairly unlikely that either will submit.
Addendum to Death/Losing the Note
In the past, I held a very firm belief that killing Light was a HUGE no-no because he would then lose the Note, and I would be forced into coming up with a way for him to come into contact with it again, not to mention the issue of once he loses the note seven times, he begins PERMANENTLY losing memories. However, this left me with an issue of fairness. Light is able and willing to murder nearly everyone in camp if he so chooses. But with that in effect, it's not very fair. Light holds a great deal of control over other characters, and therefore, I do by proxy.
Therefore, I've instated a permanent Final Fantasy Status Effect on Light. Effective immediately, Light is now permanently blessed (cursed?) with Reraise/Auto-Life. This means that when he dies, he will IMMEDIATELY be revived (at half health!), and will NOT go through the save points. With this in effect, I'm hoping that any death that occurs is not, well, permanent enough to count as a Note-losing offense. THEREFORE, if he dies, he will retain the Note and his memories, though he will still be traumatized by the experience. I hope this levels the playing field a bit.
What Happens After Death
Your first taste of how Light handles death is when Ryuk first offers Light the Shinigami eye trade. The power to see names in exchange for half his life span. Light immediately refused, saying he intended to rule over his new world for a very long time, and he couldn't give up any of his life span. Later, it's shown that Light indeed handles death VERY badly. Ignoring situations where he was EXPECTED to cry (L's death, Souichiro's death), Light's cried TWICE in Death Note, and both times when faced with death. In the first instance, there are visible tears when Souichiro puts a gun to Light's head and pulls the trigger. And in the second, Ryuk has just written Light's name in the note and Light spends the next forty seconds screaming that he doesn't want to die. He doesn't even TRY to be stoic about it. It scares the living hell out of him.
So aside from that, how does he handle his last moments? When Matsuda shoots Light in the hand, he doesn't even hesitate to continue writing Near's name. But when a torso shot is involved, Light goes NUTS. Completely unable to write, Light starts screaming near-incoherently for people that he'd forgotten he'd killed before finally pleading for Ryuk to finish the job and kill Near.
Which leads to his behavior after dying. After Light is revived, his mental state is a combination of the two extremes. The lingering terror that yes, he'd just DIED, and also the psychosis that goes with it. His mask completely shatters, and he's left a complete wreck. Depending on the situation, he'll either withdraw completely and go into shock (like his first camp death), or he'll go into an incoherent rage (his second camp death). BOTH situations are humiliating for Light, seeing as how he's completely out of control at this point, but it doesn't stop it from happening.
More to come as necessary.