Epistemology   von bootred
                            (the third death note)
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                                   Prolog: 
                                   --------


[centre]Epistemology – A Death Note FanFiction
 
Prologue – Fighting boredom[/centre]
 
Ryuk was pretty laidback. Just like every other Shinigami. Well, having a nearly
immortal lifespan had of course some disadvantages. One of the biggest flaws of
such a life was boredom. The Shinigami Realm was a monotone place where the only
companions the never changing moon and other Shinigami were. No change, always
the same. Never change. Even games started to bore him so he had decided –
before Light was the owner of a Death Note, before he witnessed the birth of
Kira – to try something.
 
It was well known that the King of Death was a powerful being, although no one
knew how powerful he truly was. There was never a situation where his power was
needed. The King of Death was truly a terrifying being, to say at last. So it
was safe to say that it was not easy to deceive or to trick him. No, not an easy
task at all. And so the thrill, the need to escape the boredom brought Ryuk to
the glorious idea to steal the Death Note of his King. What did he have to lose?
Even if – and that was a really big IF – the King would (or rather could
kill a Shinigami) want to kill him, then at least he died trying. Even so, a
Shinigami could only die when he loved a human and gave his life for this
particular human.
 
While he was on his way to the Kind something stopped him. Out of the corner of
his eyes, hidden in the shadows of some rotten cave… that was when he found
him. Ryuk observed him for some time. The Shinigami was a small one, always
cowering, watching humans in an orb interact, and watching how they lived their
life.
Ah, he was one of those cases, Ryuk though and for once he didn't come around to
smile.
 
Shinigami were beings that lived from hope and despair, at least some of them
– it was rare that such a thing occurred. Ryuk was no such Shinigami, of
course. He wasn't that stupid. But there were the ones that held feelings.
(Idiots, Ryuk though and snickered.) Those that grew these feelings like
flowers by watching humans, only to be crushed by despair.
 
It was a curse. And it was no surprise to Ryuk that this fellow Shinigami was
all alone, an outsider, watching in the shadows, watching children and woman and
man interacting with each other. Screaming and crying and laughing and loving.
Humans truly were strange. Nevertheless it was like an illness that could seep
through every molecule of Death Gods. They got addicted, observing the feelings
humans held for each other. Hoping, wishing, dreaming… and in the end only to
feel despair and self-loathing. Those Shinigami would fall in love with a human
and in the end give their life for a human. The only thing remaining colourless,
grey ashes and a notebook, the possibility of being picked up by any other
Shinigami.
 
In the end it happened. Just like Ryuk expected. It was a melancholic sight and
if Ryuk had been human or one of those emotional Shinigami he would have felt
compassion and sympathy.
The nameless Shinigami wrote a name in his Death Note and saved a young girl,
only a child, her body not matured, nearly being killed by her abusive
step-father.
 
When all that remained was the orb, ashes and a plain looking notebook he went
to the place, watched as the man lie there, killed by a heart attack. Ryuk saw
how the child started to cry, covered in bruises. Ryuk wanted to leave but
curiosity got the best of him. He watched as the girl couldn't tend for herself,
the mother being already dead. Days passed and the girl lay unconscious on the
floor, beside her father's rotting corpse. Finally the door opened and she was
picked up, man and woman where there, washed her, gave her something to eat, and
a bed to sleep in.
 
Hm, well at least she was saved and did not die of fatigue like Ryuk would have
guessed. He scratched his head, picked up the notebook at last and spread his
wings. He had remained way too long on this place. Time to go.
A grin started to spread on his face. Humans. Heh. Such weaklings. The depended
on each other and were trusting. So trusting.
 
"Hyuk hyuk hyuk.", Ryuk laughed, on his way to his king, leisurely strolling
through the Shinigami Real, thinking of all the things that ran through his
mind. The girl merely a faint memory, left in the depth of his consciousness the
course of his thoughts changed to his goal. He thought about his plan and how
the King would react once he realized his notebook was gone. Plus, he could
finally see for himself: was the King of Death truly someone who wasn't fooled
easily?
 
It was decided, a plan was formed and after some time the plan was being
realized. It was no easy task. Ryuk was after all only a normal Shinigami
whereas the King an unyielding being who looked down from his throne. (Well, not
really much a throne, just garbage thrown together from the Shinigami Realm to
make a somewhat makeshift throne.)
 
And when the feast was done and Ryuk had successfully realized the plan, getting
away before he could get an ass beating, rumors started to lie down in the
Shinigami Realm like a neatly woven net of words and disbelief. It was a most
shocking thing that came to the ears of the other Shinigami.
 
One fellow brother was able to fool the King and stole his Death Note.
Rumors were told from mouth to mouth and spread from one end to the other of the
realm. Different versions existed of how this very stupid and very brave
Shinigami stole the blasted thing. But the most important thing of this whole
ordeal was that the boredom was blown away by the neatly woven words of the
self-proclaimed Shinigami story tellers who told the tales of Ryuk the only
Shinigami who dared to defy the King. Some said that it had been a courageous
thing; others had the opinion that it was an idiotic thing to do.
 
However, Ryuk could care less. He was now in possession of not one (his own),
not two, but three(!) Death Notes. Even better, one had been the Kings Death
Note. What should he do with them?
 
He flew in the skys of the Shinigami Realm looking for a place where he could
savor his victory over the King. As he sat down, finally finding a cozy (cozy as
it could be) spot under a dried out tree, he lay the three notebooks beside him.
Two black, one purple. His laugh echoed through the Shinigami Realm and was only
heard by some, that were nearby.
Time passed, not even a day in the human world and Ryuk hadn't missed it at all.
The boredom.
 
The boredom came back, greeted Ryuk like an old friend and settled with him. The
Shinigami was sure that when he remained on one spot for too long the King would
find him. And really, he had nothing else to do, so it was only logical that he
would flee. He just had to be secretive and cautious. It was a known fact that
the Shinigami King wasn't a very nice being. Even less when he had been tricked
and robbed of his Death Note. At that thought Ryuk laughed. Still, he could
hide. An idea struck him.
He could hide in the world of the humans! Ah, he was brilliant. His ego grew
even more when his clever brain came up with the idea of defying boredom by
leaving a Death Note there and to observe how humans would react. It had been so
long since he had been there the last time. Ah, an adventure! Finally, something
interesting!
 
While he flew away to leave the melancholic realm of Shinigami, memories of a
sweet and mildly sour taste came back to him. One of his fellow Shinigami had
brought back apples once and they had been the most delicious thing he had ever
eaten. His mouth watered and with the back of his hand he swept away the watered
spit that ran along his chin, the Cheshire cat grin remaining on his face.
 
[centre]~°~[/centre]
 
He was in a country called Japan and hovered over a school. He had left a Death
Note on this school and curiously watched the pupils wandering around. What a
bunch of stupid animals. They were like sheep. Stupid, stupid sheep, not knowing
about the big bad Wolf who was able to devour them with his sharp teeth and long
claws. And his sharp teeth and long claws had the form of a plain looking
notebook. If he wanted to, he could kill them all to add time to his own life
span. And they weren't even aware of that.
 
The school bell rang and the students gathered and went back onto school but one
male student noticed the black notebook. The brown haired boy hesitated for a
moment before he picked it up. In human standards, Ryuk observed, he was pretty
good looking. At least the Shinigami thought so after watching some girls
giggling over the guy who was now the owner of the Death Note. Ryuk grinned.
 
Then he remembered the purple Death note. Ah well, he would stay in this town
and he would drop the Death Note of the King as well. That promised to be
interesting. After all a Shinigami should always be near his Note, even more if
it was in the possession of an unstable human being. Sure you could leave the
owner and the notebook but Shinigami were curious beings, observing humanity
since centuries.
 
Ryuk snickered.
 
He watched as the male human went back into the school building, the Death Note
in his hands. Ryuk decided to leave for the time being to drop the purple one
and as he flew over the city he tried to imagine what the future held in his
hands. Would it be exciting? Or would it get boring quickly?
 
Finally he came to a halt. The place he was now at was a park, with green grass
and some humans enjoying the sun light and the peaceful atmosphere. Some kids
where playing around, clearly one was bullied but the Shinigami could care less.
Other people were doing some strange movements, at that Ryuk scratched his head.
Humans were strange, indeed (later Ryuk would found out that this was called
Sport and it was important for Fitness and health). So he dropped the purple
Death Note and waited. And waited.
And waited.
 
No one seemed to be interested in this thing. Maybe the grass was too high and
nobody could see it? Ryuk went over to where the Death Note lay but then out of
the corner of his eyes a girl stepped beside him. Of course she wasn't able to
see him and even if she could see him, she was too focused on the Death Note.
 
Without hesitation she picked it up, whereas the other human had hesitated. Hm,
interesting.
She had been in the park trying to lure her muse out of the dark pit that
blocked her motivation and creativity to write something. (It was more like of
not being able to open up about her feelings. She had no idea what she should
write.) The girl sat in the grass observing her surroundings, note book in her
lap and pencil in her right hand. It was pointed on the blank paper, leaving a
dot where it was left.
 
Nothing.
 
Painful as it was, she could not write anything. She had gotten out of her
apartment after sitting around too long and she had been forced by her friend to
get out and enjoy a little sunlight. But it had not worked. The girl was too
distracted by her surroundings, observing the laughing children, the happy
families. And the pain in her heart was still there.
The polish female was not able to finish her assignment given by her therapist.
 
She sighed and decided to leave for the day. Not only would it be meaningless to
stay longer out, but it was already afternoon and a vacuum called hunger started
to get her attention as well. Over with her concentration, not being able to
sketch a single line she stood up. Some stretching was done and her bag was
picked up. She would call it a day and would get home, to get something to eat.
She remembered that she had to take her new prescribed medication as well. She
hung her head and as she blinked out of the corner of her eye a purple thing got
her attention.
 
Curious she went to the place. It was a purple notebook and she bent down to
pick it up, wondering who would leave it here. Maybe someone lost it? But it
looked pretty neat and unused.
And suddenly, as soon as she had touched it, a shadow was blocking the sunlight.
She looked to her right, startled, her eyes behind her glasses widened and her
mouth opened to scream… but no sound came out of her. Ryuk looked at her,
grinning, waiting for her reaction, wondering how she would react, his big round
eyes watching her reaction with amusement that was only typical for his kind.
She looked at him. Staring at each other, without blinking. Seconds passed. One
minute. Two minutes. Her eyes began to water. Then a smile: "Cosplay?" She
finally blinked.
 
In conclusion that was the only logical and rational assertion.
Ryuk blinked as well, wondering why in heavens name she didn't look surprised.
And what the hell was 'Cosplay'?
"What?", was his only response, not able to comprehend why a human wasn't
screaming , or running, or… something at the sight of him. It was a baffling
experience and a new feeling clenched in his rotten heart that the Shinigami
couldn't place. When was it the last time someone had looked at him like that?
 
Curious like a child, innocence and naivety in her gaze, not fearing him, not
making fun of his antics or thinking of him as an idiot. So he did the only
thing he could do at the moment and he nodded.
 
Her smile grew and her head was now a little bend to the left, sucking in his
sight with her eyes. "Wow, looks awesome.
Though I don't know from which show it is. Or is it from a game?", a question
asked friendly and with honest interest. Ryuk could only answer honestly, not
capable of lying at the moment: "Er, a Shinigami."
 
For once his trademark grin not on his face, but astonished with a flicker of
fear. Ryuk had never met someone like this before, precisely he had never met
someone who had been friendly with him or never smiled so kindly. It was a very
new experience for him and a feeling of bewilderment started to rise in his
chest.
"Looks really good.", she said again, "Shinigami, Death God, yes?"
 
He merely nodded just now realizing her accent and with that a minor longing
after something he had long forgotten.
The Death God looked at her name and her life span.
 
Małgorza Ewa Weronika Grzeskiewicz. What a long and complicated name she had.
It wasn't even funny. He grinned. Or maybe it was.
 
The meaning of her name was interesting as well, as if it was fated that she
would find a Death Note. But maybe it had nothing to do with her and she was
named like that because her parents had a fondness to long names and wanted to
give meaning to their daughters life.
 
Pearl of life; pure and watchful bringer of victory.
 
Humans were really funny. They thought that the name could somehow influence a
life,
when in truth it had nothing to do with which name you had. You could be called
Dickbutt and the name would have no kind of influence on your life. An illusion
humans had created for them, chasing the idea of luck and being able to direct
their life. But Ryuk knew.
 
It had nothing to do with their names.
The important thing was how you choose you to live your life. Nothing mattered,
only your own choice. You would have to live with your choices. There was no
time machine where you could take a quick trip to the past or future to change
things, to your liking.
 
What really and truly influenced a human's life was how he treated others and
how others treated him in return. When another human bullied you because of your
name it was his choice to do so, and you could fight or sit back and cry.
A female voice got him out of his thoughts. It was her. Małgorza Ewa Weronika
Grzeskiewicz. Ah yes, she was still there.
"Sorry, but have to go.", she told him, an apologetic smile, but she stretched
out her hand, the purple Death Note in it, "This yours?"
 
Ryuk grinned a grotesque smile that stretched his face unnaturally but instead
of taking it from her he only shook his head. "No, it's not mine. Just keep it,
maybe the owners going to come to retrieve it."
Małgorza nodded, opened her back and watched in it to see if she had some space
to put the purple notebook into her bag. When she finally had it stored in said
bag she looked up again only to find that she was alone. She furrowed her
eyebrows. How strange.
 
[centre]~°~[/centre]
 
"I am home!", she called out. No answer came, which meant that her parents were
out, her siblings as well.
It was already dark when she came home. Relief flooded through her. The young
pupil had no strength left for the day. School had been hard for her and being
around people only drained her of her energy. It was a soothing feeling,
entering the comfort of her home whily no member of her family was there. Her
condition didn't allow it to be much around people, even worse was that she hurt
her family through her mental illness. But really, what could she do? She just
felt this way and that her brain wasn't able to produce enough of the needed
hormones wasn't her fault as well. Still… it hurt.
Carelessly she dropped her heavy bag on the floor and without much consideration
she took off her shoes and left them on the spot. The polish female sat down on
the couch in the living room and sighed.
 
After she had left the park for a break she went back had went back to school
only to be appointed for cleaning duty of one of the rooms that stored oil
paint, water colors, easels and other artistic essentials fort he art club of
her school. It was more a job of reorganizing these things instead of cleaning.
Trying to clean acrylic based color was, after all, nearly impossible. Once
stuck on a cloth it was beyond someone's power to remove it.
 
She wasn't even in the art club but she did it anyway. The reason was simple. No
other club wanted her in it. She was a stranger, a foreigner, different and an
abomination.
 
The rumors had spread to fast. One more ridiculous than the other, leaving her
with nothing left. No friends. At least she had her family. Not bonded by blood
but she loved them nontheless. Only the art club accepted her somewhat. Actually
they just needed someone for cleaning duty and as everyone was too lazy to do
it, it was stuck on her.
 
To tell the truth it was all she could do. She had at least to do something at
school. In this way the teachers could see her, even if she wasn't able to
subdue anything at the artclub. She didn't even knew much about art. And she
never looked at the paintings of the other students. She wasn't interested in
it.
 
But even worse was her family. She could feel their disappointment, and most of
all their sadness, it was like a weight was strapped on her shoulders. She
couldn't help but compare herself to Atlas, who had been punished by the gods to
carry the world.
 
To be honest she didn't mind the organizing, what really bugged her was the fact
that it took so much time. And now she was tired as hell. What a lousy excuse.
She was always tired these days. Again, her conditions fault.
 
She reached for her remote and turned on the TV to ignore and forget the
darkness that creeped its ways into the rooms.
The young girl switched through the TV Program and found a Series that seemed to
be interesting. Some kind of documentary about art forgery.
 
Her interest piqued, hand still on the remote, she couldn't help but stare and
listen, too engrossed what happend in front of her on the TV. For the first time
in her life her heart fluttered at something.
Still, currently she couldn't bear watching a movie about art and so she changed
the TV channel again, only to get hang up on a drama. Ah, that was the one with
this one Hideki actor, this one dude. He had a lot of fangirls which went all
gaga because of him.
 
She left it at there and stood up, stretching a little before going to the
kitchen. In the refrigerator was still the Strawberry cake she couldn't wait to
devour. But before that, she would eat something. There had been no opportunity
to get something to eat, so she had had to wait.
 
In school, she had unfortunealty forgot to bring lunch with her, and her family
being busy had no chance to bring it to her. But now, finally home, the adopted
child could fill her empty stomach with yummy food. The female student had no
other choice after all. Even if she had no appetite she had at least to eat.
Hunger was not a feeling she enjoyed much, but at least she could change that
particullar bodily function on her own.
 
However, another thing had first to be done - she had to take her medication.
She went over to a drawer and retrieve some tablets. She closed the drawer, got
herself a glass of water and swallowed them, ignoring the feeling of being
watched. Now, she could finally eat.
 
The girl sat down on the couch, the plate with steaming food and taking the
remote in her other hand. For a moment she hestitated before she changed the
channel back to the art documentary. Something had intrigued her and she just
couldn't leave it alone.
 
It was as if a invisible force had her in the palm of its hands and slowly she
started to eat, her eyes sucking in what she saw, and her ears listening closely
tot he words, that were spoken.
All the while being watched by a supernatural being.
 
tbc

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