#Study Medicine in The Caribbean

[caribbeanms]

Caribbean Medical Schools: Your Pathway to a Medical Career

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High-Quality Education: Caribbean medical schools are known for their commitment to excellence in medical education. Many of these schools have rigorous curriculum standards that meet or exceed those of traditional medical schools. Renowned faculty members, state-of-the-art facilities, and hands-on clinical experience ensure that you receive a comprehensive education.

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Diverse and Inclusive Environment: Studying best Medical Universities in the Caribbean offers a multicultural and inclusive environment. You will have the opportunity to learn alongside students from various backgrounds, cultures, and countries. This diversity enhances your ability to collaborate, communicate, and develop a global perspective on healthcare.

Increased Opportunities for Admission: With limited seats available in traditional medical schools, the competition for admission can be intense. Caribbean medical schools offer list of medical colleges in Caribbean, providing an opportunity for students who may not have been successful in securing a spot in their home country. This accessibility expands your chances of pursuing a career in the medical field.

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CARICOM's Medical Education Oasis: Unleashing the Potential of Caribbean Medical Schools

At the heart of the beautiful Caribbean, you'll find a vibrant community of world-class medical schools that offer excellent education and training opportunities for aspiring healthcare professionals. With a strong network of institutions linked through the CARICOM treaty, studying medicine in Caribbean islands has become an attractive option for students from around the globe. Our Caribbean Medical Schools provide a high standard of medical education, combining rigorous academic programs with a supportive and nurturing learning environment. Here, students could immerse themselves in the rich cultural diversity of the Caribbean while gaining the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in the medical field.

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Join us on this exciting adventure towards becoming a healthcare professional. Discover the world of Caribbean medical schools and unlock your potential to make a lasting impact on global healthcare.

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[caribbean-medical-schools]

Leading Medical Schools in Barbados: Your Gateway to a Medical Career

Explore the top medical schools in Barbados that offer exceptional education and training for aspiring healthcare professionals. These institutions are renowned for their rigorous academic programs, state-of-the-art facilities, and comprehensive clinical experiences. With a commitment to excellence in medical education, students gain the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the medical field. Discover the benefits of studying in Barbados, including a supportive learning environment and exposure to diverse healthcare practices, setting you on a path to a fulfilling medical career.

[fatehbaz]

imperialism and science reading list

edited: by popular demand, now with much longer list of books

Of course Katherine McKittrick and Kathryn Yusoff.

People like Achille Mbembe, Pratik Chakrabarti, Rohan Deb Roy, Lizabeth Paravisini-Gebert, and Elizabeth Povinelli have written some “classics” and they track the history/historiography of US/European scientific institutions and their origins in extraction, plantations, race/slavery, etc.

Two articles I’d recommend as a summary/primer:

Zaheer Baber. “The Plants of Empire: Botanic Gardens, Colonial Power and Botanical Knowledge.” Journal of Contemporary Asia. May 2016.

Kathryn Yusoff. “The Inhumanities.” Annals of the American Association of Geographers. 2020.

Then probably:

Irene Peano, Marta Macedo, and Colette Le Petitcorps. “Introduction: Viewing Plantations at the Intersection of Political Ecologies and Multiple Space-Times.” Global Plantations in the Modern World: Sovereignties, Ecologies, Afterlives. 2023.

Sharae Deckard. “Paradise Discourse, Imperialism, and Globalization: Exploiting Eden.” 2010. (Chornological overview of development of knowledge/institutions in relationship with race, slavery, profit as European empires encountered new lands and peoples.)

Gregg Mitman. “Forgotten Paths of Empire: Ecology, Disease, and Commerce in the Making of Liberia’s Plantation Economy.” Environmental History. 2017, (Interesting case study. US corporations were building fruit plantations in Latin America and rubber plantations in West Africa during the 1920s. Medical doctors, researchers, and academics made a strong alliance these corporations to advance their careers and solidify their institutions. By 1914, the director of Harvard’s Department of Tropical Medicine was also simultaneously the director of the Laboratories of the Hospitals of the United Fruit Company, which infamously and brutally occupied Central America. This same Harvard doctor was also a shareholder in rubber plantations, and had a close personal relationship with the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, which occupied West Africa.)

Elizabeth DeLoughrey. “Globalizing the Routes of Breadfruit and Other Bounties.”  2008. (Case study of how British wealth and industrial development built on botany. Examines Joseph Banks; Kew Gardens; breadfruit; British fear of labor revolts; and the simultaneous colonizing of the Caribbean and the South Pacific.)

Elizabeth DeLoughrey. “Satellite Planetarity and the Ends of the Earth.” 2014. (Indigenous knowledge systems; “nuclear colonialism”; US empire in the Pacific; space/satellites; the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.)

Fahim Amir. “Cloudy Swords.” e-flux Journal #115, February 2021. (”Pest control”; termites; mosquitoes; fear of malaria and other diseases during German colonization of Africa and US occupations of Panama and the wider Caribbean; origins of some US institutions and the evolution of these institutions into colonial, nationalist, and then NGO forms over twentieth century.)

Some of the earlier generalist classic books that explicitly looked at science as a weapon of empires:

Schiebinger’s Plants and Empire: Colonial Bioprospecting in the Atlantic World; Delbourgo’s and Dew’s Science and Empire in the Atlantic World; the anthology Colonial Botany: Science, Commerce, and Politics in the Early Modern World; Canzares-Esquerra’s Nature, Empire, and Nation: Explorations of the History of Science in the Iberian World.

One of the quintessential case studies of science in the service of empire is the British pursuit of quinine and the inoculation of their soldiers and colonial administrators to safeguard against malaria in Africa, India, and Southeast Asia at the height of their power. But there are so many other exemplary cases: Britain trying to domesticate and transplant breadfruit from the South Pacific to the Caribbean to feed laborers to prevent slave uprisings during the age of the Haitian Revolution. British colonial administrators smuggling knowledge of tea cultivation out of China in order to set up tea plantations in Assam. Eugenics, race science, biological essentialism, etc. in the early twentieth century. With my interests, my little corner of exposure/experience has to do mostly with conceptions of space/place; interspecies/multispecies relationships; borderlands and frontiers; Caribbean; Latin America; islands. So, a lot of these recs are focused there. But someone else would have better recs, especially depending on your interests. For example, Chakrabarti writes about history of medicine/healthcare. Paravisini-Gebert about extinction and Caribbean relationship to animals/landscape. Deb Roy focuses on insects and colonial administration in South Asia. Some scholars focus on the historiography and chronological trajectory of “modernity” or “botany” or “universities/academia,”, while some focus on Early Modern Spain or Victorian Britain or twentieth-century United States by region. With so much to cover, that’s why I’d recommend the articles above, since they’re kinda like overviews.Generally I read more from articles, essays, and anthologies, rather than full-length books.

Some other nice articles:

(On my blog, I’ve got excerpts from all of these articles/essays, if you want to search for or read them.)

Katherine McKittrick. “Dear April: The Aesthetics of Black Miscellanea.” Antipode. First published September 2021.

Katherine McKittrick. “Plantation Futures.” Small Axe. 2013.

Antonio Lafuente and Nuria Valverde. “Linnaean Botany and Spanish Imperial Biopolitics.” A chapter in: Colonial Botany: Science, Commerce, and Politics in the Early Modern World. 2004.

Kathleen Susan Murphy. “A Slaving Surgeon’s Collection: The Pursuit of Natural History through the British Slave Trade to Spanish America.” 2019. And also: “The Slave Trade and Natural Science.” In: Oxford Bibliographies in Atlantic History. 2016.

Timothy J. Yamamura. “Fictions of Science, American Orientalism, and the Alien/Asian of Percival Lowell.” 2017.

Elizabeth Bentley. “Between Extinction and Dispossession: A Rhetorical Historiography of the Last Palestinian Crocodile (1870-1935).” 2021.

Pratik Chakrabarti. “Gondwana and the Politics of Deep Past.” Past & Present 242:1. 2019.

Jonathan Saha. “Colonizing elephants: animal agency, undead capital and imperial science in British Burma.” BJHS Themes. British Society for the History of Science. 2017.

Zoe Chadwick. “Perilous plants, botanical monsters, and (reverse) imperialism in fin-de-siecle literature.” The Victorianist: BAVS Postgraduates. 2017.

Dante Furioso: “Sanitary Imperialism.” Jeremy Lee Wolin: “The Finest Immigration Station in the World.” Serubiri Moses. “A Useful Landscape.” Andrew Herscher and Ana Maria Leon. “At the Border of Decolonization.” All from e-flux.

William Voinot-Baron. “Inescapable Temporalities: Chinook Salmon and the Non-Sovereignty of Co-Management in Southwest Alaska.” 2019.

Rohan Deb Roy. “White ants, empire, and entomo-politics in South Asia.” The Historical Journal. 2 October 2019.  

Rohan Deb Roy. “Introduction: Nonhuman Empires.” Comparative Studies of South Asia, Africa and the Middle East 35 (1). May 2015.

Lawrence H. Kessler. “Entomology and Empire: Settler Colonial Science  and the Campaign for Hawaiian Annexation.” Arcadia (Spring 2017).

Sasha Litvintseva and Beny Wagner. “Monster as Medium: Experiments in Perception in Early Modern Science and Film.” e-flux. March 2021.

Lesley Green. “The Changing of the Gods of Reason: Cecil John Rhodes, Karoo Fracking, and the Decolonizing of the Anthropocene.” e-flux Journal Issue #65. May 2015.

Martin Mahony. “The Enemy is Nature: Military Machines and Technological Bricolage in Britain’s ‘Great Agricultural Experiment.’“ Environment and Society Portal, Arcadia. Spring 2021. 

Anna Boswell. “Anamorphic Ecology, or the Return of the Possum.” 2018. And; “Climates of Change: A Tuatara’s-Eye View.”2020. And: “Settler Sanctuaries and the Stoat-Free State." 2017.

Katherine Arnold. “Hydnora Africana: The ‘Hieroglyphic Key’ to Plant Parasitism.” Journal of the History of Ideas - JHI Blog - Dispatches from the Archives. 21 July 2021.

Helen F. Wilson. “Contact zones: Multispecies scholarship through Imperial Eyes.” Environment and Planning. July 2019.

Tom Brooking and Eric Pawson. “Silences of Grass: Retrieving the Role of Pasture Plants in the Development of New Zealand and the British Empire.” The Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History. August 2007.

Kirsten Greer. “Zoogeography and imperial defence: Tracing the contours of the Neactic region in  the temperate North Atlantic, 1838-1880s.” Geoforum Volume 65. October 2015. And: “Geopolitics and the Avian Imperial Archive: The Zoogeography of Region-Making in the Nineteenth-Century British Mediterranean.” Annals of the Association of American Geographers. 2013,

Marco Chivalan Carrillo and Silvia Posocco. “Against Extraction in Guatemala: Multispecies Strategies in Vampiric Times.” International Journal of Postcolonial Studies. April 2020.

Laura Rademaker. “60,000 years is not forever: ‘time revolutions’ and Indigenous pasts.” Postcolonial Studies. September 2021.

Paulo Tavares. “The Geological Imperative: On the Political Ecology of the Amazon’s Deep History.” Architecture in the Anthropocene. Edited by Etienne Turpin. 2013.

Kathryn Yusoff. “Geologic Realism: On the Beach of Geologic Time.” Social Text. 2019. And: “The Anthropocene and Geographies of Geopower.” Handbook on the Geographies of Power. 2018. And: “Climates of sight: Mistaken visbilities, mirages and ‘seeing beyond’ in Antarctica.” In: High Places: Cultural Geographies of Mountains, Ice and Science. 2008. And:“Geosocial Formations and the Anthropocene.” 2017. And: “An Interview with Elizabeth Grosz: Geopower, Inhumanism and the Biopolitical.” 2017.

Mara Dicenta. “The Beavercene: Eradication and Settler-Colonialism in Tierra del Fuego.” Arcadia. Spring 2020.

And then here are some books:

Frontiers of Science: Imperialism and Natural Knowledge in the Gulf South Borderlands, 1500-1850 (Cameron B. Strang); Plants and Empire: Colonial Bioprospecting in the Atlantic World (Londa Schiebinger, 2004);

Africa as a Living Laboratory: Empire, Development, and the Problem of Scientific Knowledge, 1870-1950 (Helen Tilley, 2011); Colonizing Animals: Interspecies Empire in Myanmar (Jonathan Saha); Fluid Geographies: Water, Science and Settler Colonialism in New Mexico (K. Maria D. Lane, 2024);  Geopolitics, Culture, and the Scientific Imaginary in Latin America (Edited by del Pilar Blanco and Page, 2020)

Red Coats and Wild Birds: How Military Ornithologists and Migrant Birds Shaped Empire (Kirsten A. Greer); The Black Geographic: Praxis, Resistance, Futurity (Hawthorne and Lewis, 2022); Fugitive Science: Empiricism and Freedom in Early African American Culture (Britt Rusert, 2017)

The Empirical Empire: Spanish Colonial Rule and the Politics of Knowledge (Arndt Brendecke, 2016); In the Museum of Man: Race, Anthropology, and Empire in France, 1850-1960 (Alice Conklin, 2013); Unfreezing the Arctic: Science, Colonialism, and the Transformation of Inuit Lands (Andrew Stuhl)

Anglo-European Science and the Rhetoric of Empire: Malaria, Opium, and British Rule in India, 1756-1895 (Paul Winther); Peoples on Parade: Exhibitions, Empire, and Anthropology in Nineteenth-Century Britain (Sadiah Qureshi, 2011); Practical Matter: Newton’s Science in the Service of Industry and Empire, 1687-1851 (Margaret Jacob and Larry Stewart)

Pasteur’s Empire: Bacteriology and Politics in France, Its Colonies, and the World (Aro Velmet, 2022); Medicine and Empire, 1600-1960 (Pratik Chakrabarti, 2014); Colonial Geography: Race and Space in German East Africa, 1884-1905 (Matthew Unangst, 2022);

The Nature of German Imperialism: Conservation and the Politics of Wildlife in Colonial East Africa (Bernhard Gissibl, 2019); Curious Encounters: Voyaging, Collecting, and Making Knowledge in the Long Eighteenth Century (Edited by Adriana Craciun and Mary Terrall, 2019)

The Ends of Paradise: Race, Extraction, and the Struggle for Black Life in Honduras (Chirstopher A. Loperena, 2022); Mining Language: Racial Thinking, Indigenous Knowledge, and Colonial Metallurgy in the Early Modern Iberian World (Allison Bigelow, 2020); The Herds Shot Round the World: Native Breeds and the British Empire, 1800-1900 (Rebecca J.H. Woods); American Tropics: The Caribbean Roots of Biodiversity Science (Megan Raby, 2017); Producing Mayaland: Colonial Legacies, Urbanization, and the Unfolding of Global Capitalism (Claudia Fonseca Alfaro, 2023); Unnsettling Utopia: The Making and Unmaking of French India (Jessica Namakkal, 2021)

Domingos Alvares, African Healing, and the Intellectual History of the Atlantic World (James Sweet, 2011); A Temperate Empire: Making Climate Change in Early America (Anya Zilberstein, 2016); Educating the Empire: American Teachers and Contested Colonization in the Philippines (Sarah Steinbock-Pratt, 2019); Soundings and Crossings: Doing Science at Sea, 1800-1970 (Edited by Anderson, Rozwadowski, et al, 2016)

Possessing Polynesians: The Science of Settler Colonial Whiteness in Hawai’i and Oceania (Maile Arvin); Overcoming Niagara: Canals, Commerce, and Tourism in the Niagara-Great Lakes Borderland Region, 1792-1837 (Janet Dorothy Larkin, 2018); A Great and Rising Nation: Naval Exploration and Global Empire in the Early US Republic (Michael A. Verney, 2022)

Visible Empire: Botanical Expeditions and Visual Culture in the Hispanic Enlightenment (Daniela Cleichmar, 2012); Tea Environments and Plantation Culture: Imperial Disarray in Eastern India (Arnab Dey, 2022); Drugs on the Page: Pharmacopoeias and Healing Knowledge in the Early Modern Atlantic World (Edited by Crawford and Gabriel, 2019)

Cooling the Tropics: Ice, Indigeneity, and Hawaiian Refreshment (Hi’ilei Kawehipuaakahaopulani Hobart, 2022); In Asian Waters: Oceanic Worlds from Yemen to Yokkohama (Eric Tagliacozzo); Yellow Fever, Race, and Ecology in Nineteenth-Century New Orleans (Urmi Engineer Willoughby, 2017); Turning Land into Capital: Development and Dispossession in the Mekong Region (Edited by Hirsch, et al, 2022); Mining the Borderlands: Industry, Capital, and the Emergence of Engineers in the Southwest Territories, 1855-1910 (Sarah E.M. Grossman, 2018)

Knowing Manchuria: Environments, the Senses, and Natural Knowledge on an Asian Borderland (Ruth Rogaski); Colonial Fantasies, Imperial Realities: Race Science and the Making of Polishness on the Fringes of the German Empire, 1840-1920 (Lenny A. Urena Valerio); Against the Map: The Politics of Geography in Eighteenth-Century Britain (Adam Sills, 2021)

Under Osman’s Tree: The Ottoman Empire, Egypt, and Environmental History (Alan Mikhail, 2017); Imperial Nature: Joseph Hooker and the Practices of Victorian Science (Jim Endersby); Proving Grounds: Militarized Landscapes, Weapons Testing, and the Environmental Impact of U.S. Bases (Edited by Edwin Martini, 2015)

Colonial Botany: Science, Commerce, and Politics in the Early Modern World (Multiple authors, 2007); Space in the Tropics: From Convicts to Rockets in French Guiana (Peter Redfield); Seeds of Empire: Cotton, Slavery, and the Transformation of the Texas Borderlands, 1800-1850 (Andrew Togert, 2015); Dust Bowls of Empire: Imperialism, Environmental Politics, and the Injustice of ‘Green’ Capitalism (Hannah Holleman, 2016); Postnormal Conservation: Botanic Gardens and the Reordering of Biodiversity Governance (Katja Grotzner Neves, 2019)

Botanical Entanglements: Women, Natural Science, and the Arts in Eighteenth-Century England (Anna K. Sagal, 2022); The Platypus and the Mermaid and Other Figments of the Classifying Imagination (Harriet Ritvo); Rubber and the Making of Vietnam: An Ecological History, 1897-1975 (Michitake Aso); A Billion Black Anthropocenes or None (Kathryn Yusoff, 2018); Staple Security: Bread and Wheat in Egypt (Jessica Barnes, 2023); No Wood, No Kingdom: Political Ecology in the English Atlantic (Keith Pluymers); Planting Empire, Cultivating Subjects: British Malaya, 1768-1941 (Lynn Hollen Lees, 2017); Fish, Law, and Colonialism: The Legal Capture of Salmon in British Columbia (Douglas C. Harris, 2001); Everywhen: Australia and the Language of Deep Time (Edited by Ann McGrath, Laura Rademaker, and Jakelin Troy)

Subject Matter: Technology, the Body, and Science on the Anglo-American Frontier, 1500-1676 (Joyce Chaplin, 2001); Mapping the Amazon: The Making and Unmaking of French India (Jessica Namakkal, 2021)

American Lucifers: The Dark History of Artificial Light, 1750-1865 (Jeremy Zallen); Ruling Minds: Psychology in the British Empire (Erik Linstrum, 2016); Lakes and Empires in Macedonian History: Contesting the Water (James Pettifer and Mirancda Vickers, 2021); Inscriptions of Nature: Geology and the Naturalization of Antiquity (Pratik Chakrabarti); Seeds of Control: Japan’s Empire of Forestry in Colonial Korea (David Fedman)

Do Glaciers Listen?: Local Knowledge, Colonial Encounters, and Social Imagination (Julie Cruikshank); The Fishmeal Revolution: The Industrialization of the Humboldt Current Ecosystem (Kristin A. Wintersteen, 2021); The Earth on Show: Fossils and the Poetics of Popular Science, 1802-1856 (Ralph O’Connor); An Imperial Disaster: The Bengal Cyclone of 1876 (Benjamin Kingsbury, 2018); Geographies of City Science: Urban Life and Origin Debates in Late Victorian Dublin (Tanya O’Sullivan, 2019)

American Hegemony and the Postwar Reconstruction of Science in Europe (John Krige, 2006); Carnal Knowledge and Imperial Power: Race and the Intimate in Colonial Rule (Ann Laura Stoler, 2002); Rivers of the Sultan: The Tigris and Euphrates in the Ottoman Empire (Faisal H. Husain, 2021)

The Sanitation of Brazil: Nation, State, and Public Health, 1889-1930 (Gilberto Hochman, 2016); The Imperial Security State: British Colonial Knowledge and Empire-Building in Asia (James Hevia); Japan’s Empire of Birds: Aristocrats, Anglo-Americans, and Transwar Ornithology (Annika A. Culver, 2022)

Moral Ecology of a Forest: The Nature Industry and Maya Post-Conservation (Jose E. Martinez, 2021); Sound Relations: Native Ways of Doing Music History in Alaska (Jessica Bissette Perea, 2021); Citizens and Rulers of the World: The American Child and the Cartographic Pedagogies of Empire (Mashid Mayar); Anthropology and Antihumanism in Imperial Germany (Andrew Zimmerman, 2001)

The Botany of Empire in the Long Eighteenth Century (Multiple authors, 2016); The Nature of Slavery: Environment and Plantation Labor in the Anglo-Atlantic World (Katherine Johnston, 2022); Seeking the American Tropics: South Florida’s Early Naturalists (James A. Kushlan, 2020)

The Colonial Life of Pharmaceuticals: Medicines and Modernity in Vietnam (Laurence Monnais); Quinoa: Food Politics and Agrarian Life in the Andean Highlands (Linda J. Seligmann, 2023) ; Critical Animal Geographies: Politics, intersections and hierarchies in a multispecies world (Edited by Kathryn Gillespie and Rosemary-Claire Collard, 2017); Spawning Modern Fish: Transnational Comparison in the Making of Japanese Salmon (Heather Ann Swanson, 2022); Imperial Visions: Nationalist Imagination and Geographical Expansion in the Russian Far East, 1840-1865 (Mark Bassin, 2000); The Usufructuary Ethos: Power, Politics, and Environment in the Long Eighteenth Century (Erin Drew, 2022)

Intimate Eating: Racialized Spaces and Radical Futures (Anita Mannur, 2022); On the Frontiers of the Indian Ocean World: A History of Lake Tanganyika, 1830-1890 (Philip Gooding, 2022); All Things Harmless, Useful, and Ornamental: Environmental Transformation Through Species Acclimitization, from Colonial Australia to the World (Pete Minard, 2019)

Visions of Nature: How Landscape Photography Shaped Setller Colonialism (Jarrod Hore, 2022); Timber and Forestry in Qing China: Sustaining the Market (Meng Zhang, 2021); The World and All the Things upon It: Native Hawaiian Geographies of Exploration (David A. Chang);

Deep Cut: Science, Power, and the Unbuilt Interoceanic Canal (Christine Keiner); Writing the New World: The Politics of Natural History in the Early Spanish Empire (Mauro Jose Caraccioli); Two Years below the Horn: Operation Tabarin, Field Science, and Antarctic Sovereignty, 1944-1946 (Andrew Taylor, 2017); Mapping Water in Dominica: Enslavement and Environment under Colonialism (Mark W. Hauser, 2021)

To Master the Boundless Sea: The US Navy, the Marine Environment, and the Cartography of Empire (Jason Smith, 2018); Fir and Empire: The Transformation of Forests in Early Modern China (Ian Matthew Miller, 2020); Breeds of Empire: The ‘Invention’ of the Horse in Southeast Asia and Southern Africa 1500-1950 (Sandra Swart and Greg Bankoff, 2007)

Science on the Roof of the World: Empire and the Remaking of the Himalaya (Lachlan Fleetwood, 2022); Cattle Colonialism: An Environmental History of the Conquest of California and Hawai’i (John Ryan Fisher, 2017); Imperial Creatures: Humans and Other Animals in Colonial Singapore, 1819-1942 (Timothy P. Barnard, 2019)

An Ecology of Knowledges: Fear, Love, and Technoscience in Guatemalan Forest Conservation (Micha Rahder, 2020); Empire and Ecology in the Bengal Delta: The Making of Calcutta (Debjani Bhattacharyya, 2018);  Imperial Bodies in London: Empire, Mobility, and the Making of British Medicine, 1880-1914 (Kristen Hussey, 2021)

Biotic Borders: Transpacific Plant and Insect Migration and the Rise of Anti-Asian Racism in America, 1890-1950 (Jeannie N. Shinozuka); Coral Empire: Underwater Oceans, Colonial Tropics, Visual Modernity (Ann Elias, 2019); Hunting Africa: British Sport, African Knowledge and the Nature of Empire (Angela Thompsell, 2015)

[sgstories123]

Eliza's Cruise Adventure

“Can we buy you a drink, miss?”

Eliza looked up at the three men. They were wearing board shorts of loud, gaudy colours. All were topless, showing off their tanned, muscular bodies and chiseled abs. These young punks were most probably in their twenties, thought Eliza.

“Well, if you can get me a Passion Spritz, that will be nice.” Eliza smiled. She had never said no to free drinks. She let her robe slid off a little further, giving the men a good look of her pink bikini-clad body. She was aware that her mum who was lying on the reclining next to her was giving her a disapproving look. But Eliza is no longer a little girl who needed her mother’s approval.

Eliza had worked hard all her life. Ever since her father left her mother to be with his mistress in China, she had decided that she will need to study hard and earn a good living. If nothing else, to show that useless father of hers the good life that he is missing when he made the decision to leave them. She did well in school and earn several scholarships to ease the financial burden on her mother. When she was in her first year in NUS Medicine school, she met a rich and handsome classmate which eventually became her boyfriend. She thought her life had turned for the better but alas, her boyfriend cheated on her just months after she had given her virginity to him. She broke up with him immediately and swore never to depend on any men. When she completed her medical degree, she worked hard at her job in NUH, rising quickly through the ranks. With her career stabilising and a high income, she bought a condominium in the western part of Singapore to live with her mom, fulfilling her promise as a young child to give her mother a good life. True to her words, she never had a boyfriend since her university days. She spends all her free time with her mother, eating at restaurants and going on holidays. And here they are now, on a 4 night Royal Caribbean cruise to Jeju Island in Korea.

Although Eliza is now in her thirties, she had taken good care of her body. Her skin was still flawless and her strict adherence to a diet and Yogo routine helped her body stay slim and youthful. It was no wonder that many men at the swimming pool were ogling at her when she walked past in her pink bikini. Eliza may have sworn off men but she enjoyed the stares of appreciation that she was getting from men. Men are so useless. They only think with their dicks. Eliza smirked as she put on the white bathrobe from the cruise liner. It was not out of modesty but instead, it was a calculated move on her part to cover parts of her body, to make it more mysterious and seductive.

The three men soon returned with her vodka cocktail. They purposefully sat on her seat and tried to touch her. But Eliza was too smart for them. She wrapped herself tightly in her bathrobe and the men could not touch her bare skin. She soon found out that Ahmad, Beng and Chandra were classmates at NUS and had just started work. They decided to take a cruise together with their first year-end bonus as a sort of celebration. Perhaps they thought she could be a memento of their trip, Eliza smirked to herself. Young punks. She will squeeze them dry of their bonus and leave them high and dry. The men continue to talk to her and she encouraged them by revealing parts of her body but never letting them touch her. Throughout, she continued to ask them for drinks and snacks. She even got one of them to buy her a pair of Gucci shades. By the evening, she realised that she had enjoyed the attention so much that she had been a little reluctant to leave the pool for her dinner. The men wanted to follow her but she skilfully evade them.

She went to Jamie’s for dinner with her mother. Throughout, her mother was nagging at her over her spaghetti on how she was being overly flirtatious and how she will regret her actions. Eliza was bored. She did not blame her mother but her mother was really too conservative. It was all fun and nothing else. If men can flirt with women, why can’t women flirt with men?

To avoid further nagging, Eliza went down to the bar and left her mother to return to their room. She was wearing a purple long dress with a low neckline, showing off the cleavage to her ample breasts. She was pleased that her choice of dress drew appreciative stares from the men when she walked into the bar. As she sat at the counter, the three men that she saw earlier plonked themselves on the seats beside her. She was pleasantly surprised to see them again. To be honest, they were good conservationist and were good looking. Ahmad had a boyish looking face and a nice brown tan. Beng had a muscular broad chest that exuded masculinity. Chandra was the most average looking of the three men but he sported a large, angular nose. Supposedly, this was the mark of a large cock. Eliza laughed to herself. She had not seen any medical reports on this yet and wondered how this myth became popular.

“Any of you want to buy me a drink?” Eliza purred seductively. The three men rushed to be the first to buy her a drink and other refreshments. Several hours later, Eliza realised perhaps a bit belatedly that she was getting drunk. She usually knew when to stop but she must have missed that point with the engaging conversations and the never ending flow of drinks. She blamed her mother momentarily. Maybe she drank too much because she was pissed with her mother’s nagging.

“I need to go.” Eliza stood up resolutely but faltered straightaway, holding onto the bar counter for support. “Come on, let’s have another one.” Ahmad suggested.

“The night is still young.” Beng argued.

“Or do you want to come to our room for another round.” Chandra said with a twinkle in his eye.

“No. I am going up to my room.” Eliza knew that she must not drink any more.

She walked a few tentative steps but stumbled forward on her fourth step. Ahmad and Beng ran forward and each held one of her arms. “Thanks.” Eliza muttered, her world spinning crazily around her.

“Let’s go to our room.” Chandra urged.

“No. I want to go back to my room 1120.” Eliza stated as firmly as she could. She looked at the bartender, who was looking at her direction. “I want to go back to my room 1120.” She repeated loudly, making sure that the bartender heard her. These young men would not want to try anything funny now that the bartender is aware that she does not want to be in their room. Eliza smiled to herself. Still smarter than you guys who think with their dicks, assholes.

The three men brought Eliza to her room. She was still too weak to stand on her feet and was half-dragged to her room, stumbling along the way. They met several people along the corridors and Eliza made sure that they knew that she was heading back to her room. “These men are bringing me back to my room 1120.” She repeated loudly whenever she saw anyone along the corridors. It was embarrassing to be that drunk but it was important to draw attention to herself, Eliza rationalised.

Once the door to her room was opened, the three men dropped her on the bed. Eliza fell asleep immediately when she realised that she was safe in her room and her defences dropped. Chandra closed the door behind them and smiled at Ahmad and Beng knowingly. Their plan to make Eliza drunk and then fuck her had worked. Well, almost. They had planned to bring her to their room but the venue was not the most important thing, was it?

“Eliza, you back?” Eliza’s mother called out from the toilet. The three men froze, looking at each other. Shit. They forgot about the mother. Beng looked around and pulled off two pillow cases. He motioned the other two to stand with him behind the toilet door. The toilet door opened and Eliza’s mother walked out in her bathrobe.

“Eliza? Are you okay?” Eliza’s mother asked, drying her hair with a towel in her hand. Beng pushed Eliza’s mother down onto the bed and sat on top of her. He pulled her hands behind her and tied them with one of the pillow cases. Eliza’s mother screamed and Beng quickly took the towel and stuff it into her mouth, muffling her screams. Ahmad took the remaining pillow case and tied Eliza’s mother’s legs to stop her from kicking and struggling. Secured, the three men carried Eliza’s mother to the sofa.

“Well, there were a few hiccups but I guess it was almost as easy as ABC, huh? Shall we begin?” Ahmad rubbed his hands gleefully.

“This bitch is really too much. It is payback time for all the money we spent on her.” Beng laughed.

Chandra did not even bother saying anything as he simply smiled and undressed himself. The other two men followed his cue and undressed themselves too. They quickly removed Eliza’s dress, revealing the twin mounds of flesh. Despite her age, Eliza’s breasts were still perky and firm. The men took turns squeezing them and sucking on her nipples. Eliza moaned in her sleep and the men seemed to be even more excited when they heard her.

“Fuck! She trimmed herself down there. She like some fucking schoolgirl.” Ahmad exclaimed as he positioned his head between her legs. He licked her love hole as he brushed his fingers against the thin pubic hair. He slowly peeled the folds of her love hole open carefully, taking in the sweet smell emanating from her vagina. He found the small bud of pleasure and carefully licked it.

Eliza opened her mouth and moaned softly as pleasure coursed through her body. Beng took the opportunity to thrust his manhood into her mouth. He could feel his hard cock reaching the back of her throat. He pulled Eliza’s head over the edge of the bed. Eliza’s head now tilted backwards and allowed his cock to reach even deeper. “Fuck! Her mouth feels damn good.”

Chandra straddled Eliza and rubbed his hard cock between her breasts. He closed his eyes and moaned softly as his cock coursed through the smooth valley.

By this time, Ahmad decided that Eliza was sufficiently lubricated. He spat a glob of saliva onto his hard cock and guided it slowly into her. “Fuck. This bitch is so tight, like a goddamn school girl.”

Chandra laughed when he heard that. He turned around and helped spread Eliza’s legs wider. 

Ahmad thrusted hard and finally got his cock totally in her. It was so tight and pleasurable that he could not stop himself from ejaculating after only several thrusts. “Shit! What a waste!”

Chandra laughed again. “Weak! My turn!” Ahmad relented and Chandra took over his position. Chandra’s cock was even larger and thicker than Ahmad’s. It will be even more difficult to get his cock into Eliza’s tight cunt but Ahmad had lubricated Eliza’s hole well with her love juice and his semen. Slowly, Chandra eased his cock into Eliza, stretching her tight hole that has not been used in years to her limit. The pain shot through Eliza and she woke up with a start. The first thing she saw were Beng’s balls swinging in front of her and her mouth being violated by his cock.

“Mmph!” She tried to push Beng away but Chandra had now pushed the last two inches of his large cock into her, going where no cock had ever gone before. Pain paralysed her, followed by blinding pleasure. Instead of pushing Beng away, her hands grabbed his ass and pulled him even deeper into her mouth. Beng groaned in pleasure as he went deeper, the pleasure from his cock finally tipping him over the abyss. He shot out white waves of little Bengs, flooding Eliza’s mouth and bathing his cock in them.

Eliza was choking on Beng’s ejaculate. She tried to push him away but was too weak. Left with no choice, she swallowed his man juice as much as she could, but there was too much and some even went into her nose.

While Beng and Chandra were fucking Eliza, Ahmad had sat himself next to Eliza’s mom. He had been stroking his cock to hardness while watching his friends enjoying themselves with Eliza when he realised that Eliza’s mom was staring hard at her daughter being fucked.

“You like what you see, huh? Are you an old horny cow, huh?” Ahmad jeered. He pulled open her bathrobe and was pleasantly surprised that the older woman had even larger breasts than her daughter. The skin was still soft and smooth. He bent forwards to suck her tits as he stroked himself. His cock hardened as his body touched the older woman’s bare skin.

Aroused, he took an irrational risk. He removed the towel from the older woman’s mouth and stood on the sofa, positioning his hard cock in front of the older woman.

“Suck it, old cow!” The older woman complied, sucking his cock hungrily.

“Look guys! The old cow is horny!” Ahmad laughed. “God! She still has the skills. Damn it. She is good!” Ahmad groaned in pleasure as he started fucking the older woman’s mouth.

Beng walked over and untied the woman’s legs. He spread it open and started licking her cunt. The older woman moaned in pleasure, Ahmad’s cock still in her mouth.

By this time, Chandra had been enjoying fucking Eliza for some time now. He gave several deep and slow strokes, before finishing with a series of quick thrusts. Eliza’s love canal was flooded a second time after more than a decade of drought. As Chandra withdrew his cock, he was pleased to see the white man juice slowly seeping out of Eliza’s cunt. That was so erotic and made him feel that he had successfully conquered that proud bitch.

Eliza was feeling confused. She was conscious now. She knew she should be frightened by what had just happened but instead she she wanted more. It had been so long since she had sex and they had made her feel so much more pleasure than her boyfriend so many years ago.

“What? What are you staring at, bitch?” Chandra saw a confused look on Eliza’s face. Eliza looked away and was drawn to Chandra’s large, black, hairy cock. Maybe there is some truth to the myth. That was a huge cock. Did it actually went in her? Unbelievable.

Chandra saw Eliza looking at his cock. His cock hardened again. He smiled to himself. “You want some more of my cock, bitch?”

“You are not strong enough. Weak bastards that think with your dicks? You can’t even last long enough to pleasure me, assholes.” Eliza retorted without thinking. The rebellious streak in her took over.

Chandra saw red and pulled Eliza towards him. Her legs were now over the edge of the bed while her back was on the bed. He turned her over, spreading her legs wide and without any warning, forced his cock into her, impaling his whole length in one deep stroker. Eliza screamed as pain tore through her. She was still not accustomed to such a big cock in her. Chandra pulled her hair and forced her body to arch against his. This only caused his cock to slide even further in, eliciting pain and pleasure all over Eliza’s body. Eliza willed herself not to blackout. Chandra tilted her head towards his. “Not strong enough? I will make you come so much that you will beg me to stop, bitch.” Chandra grunted as he pumped deeper and faster into Eliza. Minutes later, he seeded Eliza again, with semen dripping out of her cunt, a long white river along the length of her legs.

Ahmad saw what was happening and took his cock out of the older women’s mouth. He walked over to the bed where Eliza was now lying flat on her back, exhausted. He spread her legs wide, sticking his hard cock covered with Eliza’s mother’s saliva into Eliza’s cunt. This time, it went in easily. He pulled Eliza up so that she was now sitting on his cock. He sank his head into her breasts, sucking on them slowly. The first time was too quick for him. Now, he intends to savour Eliza. As Eliza bounced slowly on his cock, she started moaning in pleasure as the slow love-making generated gentle waves of pleasure.

“Look at her!. She enjoying being fucked. What a bitch!” Chandra sneered. His cock twitched and blood starting flowing into it again. He pushed both Eliza and Ahmad down onto the bed, straddled Ahmad’s legs, positioning himself behind Eliza’s ass.

“Fuck, Chandra! What you doing, huh?” Ahmad sounded a bit piss at having his pleasure disrupted.

“I want to fuck her in her asshole. Give that bitch two cocks at the same time.” Chandra spit on his fingers and inserted them into Eliza’s asshole. Eliza froze at the unfamiliar intrusion but Chandra was impatient. He quickly inserted a second finger, trying to loosen it as much as he can. Eliza winced in pain but that only encouraged Chandra’s sadistic instinct. He pushed his cock into Eliza’s ass, forcing it against the muscles in her opening. Eliza screamed, her whole body reacting to the unnatural forced entry. Ahmad groaned in pleasure as the muscles squeezed his cock even tighter. Chandra did not care and forced his cock even deeper. Eventually, Eliza had both cocks deep in her. Chandra pushed himself against Eliza, the movement causing Eliza pleasure in both her holes. She moaned louder and louder in pleasure, unable to control herself.

Beng was amused at his two friends fucking Eliza. But he had no intention of joining them. Having his cock coated in another man’s semen seemed disgusting. Anyway, now that Ahmad had done a good job lubricating the old cow, he decided to fuck the old woman instead. He lifted her legs over his shoulders and fucked her on the sofa standing up. It was not tight as to be expected, but a cunt is a cunt. It was still warm and pleasurable and the old woman seemed appreciative of having a fuck at this age. She was moaning softly, seemingly enjoying herself.

The three men continued fucking for a while and ejaculated for the final time. Dressing quickly, the three men looked at the two women, covered in semen, exhausted. They laughed and exited the room quietly. It was already morning. The ship had docked and they should quickly leave the boat before the women wake up.

[apocalypse-shuffle]

BRUCE WAYNE | BATMAN (wfa | fanon)

—

Bruce Wayne w/ a Rastafarian S/O (Bruce Wayne x Fem!Reader)

Headcanons

SFW, slice of life, BATMOM, batfamily appearances, fluff, established relationship(s) - caribbean!reader

Pic source — Batman: Wayne Family Adventures webtoon

Bruce initially being the only person allowed to see your locs.

Each kid takes it as a rite of passage when they’re allowed to see your hair as well. You do your best to stress to them not to make it seem like an obligation or some huge sign of your love or anything, but they tend to give it more weight than you want them to regardless.

It’s just that when you’re in your home, and around your people, you can trust your locs to be free.

The first time when the house was quiet (no risk of guests) Bruce suddenly found one night that he was allowed to see your locs after you finally convinced him to get out of the Batsuit and come sleep upstairs in a bed instead of on a cot in the cave.

You don’t make a big deal of it, and he doesn’t comment right then, but he is very pleased.

You and Damian bond over ‘vegan’ dishes and desserts.

There’s plenty of times when you’re making a Caribbean dish vegan (and compatible with your Ital diet to a natural medicinal-esq degree) that he acts as your taste tester or is the accomplice to any failures you make in the kitchen.

Something about ‘Rasta Pasta’ does vex you, though. There’s just something so antithetical about something that explicitly has ‘Rasta’ in the name having meat in it most of the time that boggles your mind even though it isn’t a big deal.

You share your feelings about this with Bruce and he nods sagely while Duke busts a gut behind him with his hands slapped over his mouth. Duke does think you have a point but the way you’re talking about it and just how seriously Bruce is taking your otherwise trivial complaint is killing him.

Jason picks out pretty wraps for you to wrap your head with from wherever he’s traveled. A lot of them you sew into skirts you buy to make them longer but still give them a personal touch.

Everyone eats your food; no one misses the meat (and all the other things you don’t cook with) and Alfred supremely enjoys the day off from the kitchen because if you're asked to make dinner you’re making breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dessert too.

Dick will come all the way from Bludhaven for your fungi and (meatless) veggie stew, please do not play. You make extra just for him to take home every time.

Bruce loves at night when you’re going to bed and you drop your hair. Loves getting to see your locs knock into your back and fall over your shoulders. Your hair is your crown and Bruce treats it with every bit of reverence it deserves.

Whenever he can he likes to twine his fingers through your locs when you kiss.

On slow days when the Bat isn’t needed and Bruce Wayne doesn’t have to make an appearance you spend the day around each other. You alternate from his office to your bedroom while he works and you oil and retwist your hair on the bed or on the couch in his study.

The two of you have your dumbest conversations on days like these which is how Duke and Damian end up walking in on you both debating the logistics of whether capri pants were an acceptable fashion choice.

Both Duke and Damian sided with you saying they were not, but then Tim walked in on the conversation and - even after explaining your reasoning to him - sided with Bruce saying they were a perfect choice for when you couldn’t decide between shorts or pants.

When Steph passes by the open door she shakes her head at Tim, clicking her tongue like you usually do, and asks you if she can borrow one of your blouses even though you can see it already under her arm.

You make it mandatory that you all go out as a family to connect with nature, not just be around it, and to get some actual sun.

Hikes are absolutely your jam, and it’s not like Bruce likes anything better than to show off for you. Rock climbing in nature, taking trips to swim in the Caribbean, cave explorations, plant scavenger hunts, star gazing, and more are all on the table too when free time comes into play.

You and Bruce also go on regularly scheduled walks (that is when he’s not too torn up to walk) where you take the time to catch up and re-familiarize and ground yourselves through growing your connection even more.

You also have the room — and Bruce is more than happy to give you it — to have a giant garden where you grow a lot of your own food, and you maintain it as a family.

You wake up to pray every morning like clockwork, and Bruce doesn’t join in but he does wake up for a short stint of time to watch you before passing back out.

If there was one thing your husband wasn’t, it was a morning person (within reason, most of the time).

If he is up and moving (and home) when you’re going out he likes to wrap your locs up for you. The first time he offered you raised a brow at him, but he eased the fabric from your hands and turned you around to show you what he meant anyway. When he wraps the fabric around your bundled locs exactly like how you do without any instruction you’re shocked, but the smile you give him afterwards is dazzled enough that Bruce winks at you.

When he’s really calm, usually before he’s about to slip into sleep after a long time running around and plotting as Batman, he’ll go soft and as floaty as he ever does. While one of his hands will be wrapped around you, the other often gravitates towards the wooden ankh you wear (if you still have it on). He winds it between his fingers, playing with the beads that adorn the necklace like he’s in a trance as he presses sleepy kisses to your brown skin.

You pray for him most often when he’s like this, your touch on him soft and your hand a gentle balm in his hair in turn; his life was always on the line after all, and so were your children’s. It couldn’t hurt, that was for sure.

You make the Manor a little louder relatively often; keeping the energy in your adopted home alive (when you don’t have a full house, especially) with the music you play. It’s healing. Makes everyone in the house get a little more energy in their step at the reggae and Caribbean hymns in the background.

Plus, watching Dami’s head bounce to the music when he’s not paying attention is too cute.

Whenever you’re blessed enough to hear (what’s typically) Jason, Steph, or Duke singing familiar lyrics under their breaths or humming well worn and loved tunes, too, you can’t help how your heart swells.

Dick will full on just sing along with you if he’s around, in all his off key glory, and you love that just the same.

You’re in your garden a lot and out of all your kids Cassandra enjoys being out there with you the most. You two often gather from and maintain the garden together in silence. You suspect she likes how visibly non-demanding it is; it gives her brain a break.

Alfred has his roses and you have your produce/aromatics and you share irrigation tips.

You share your beliefs with your crew whenever they ask but are perfectly content to let them choose their own paths in life.

Cass listens to your prayers the most, you don’t think she believes in the Most High (or any ‘higher power’ that people praise for that matter) but you love that she appreciates the messages regardless.

The elites and the press act absolutely ridiculous about you and your appearance, but you just don’t pay them no mind and go about your business unbothered. That hatred was their prerogative, not yours; you would not bow to their system, to the machinations of Babylon.

You’re single-handedly making Bruce Wayne (Gotham’s ‘Crown Prince’) smell inarguably like incense; just from him being so obsessed with you and always wanting to be around you as much as possible he’ll smell like any variety of sages to cedars (& etc.).

If there’s anyone that’s going to hasten Wayne Enterprises shifting to more eco friendly practices and renewable energy it’s going to be you. It’s not like you had to do much though, Bruce is pretty advancement friendly on his own.

You start a good amount of community gardens throughout Gotham through W.E., and villians mostly leave them alone outside of Ivy occasionally making the plants mutated enough to ‘come to life’.

NOTES: Hope you enjoyed!!!

I’d like to make it known that most of the information I put here was gained through observation (& some lived experience), but also that while the person I garnered this information from is a Rasta, that they aren’t a particularly ‘traditional’ one, so take that as you will. Also, not every Rasta practices the same way so don’t hold me as a source or anything either.

I’m also a non-Jamaican Caribbean, just fyi.

btw: if you’d like to leave a comment I’d very much appreciate it!

Alt. Banner (scrapped) —

[justafairytailofinnocence]

Hi i saw your newt x mermaid reader and i was wondering if you could do a newt x jellyfish!reader if you have to much on your plate please discard this and make sure to eat healthy, drink lots of water, and take regular naps!! Have a great day!!🫶

Hello dear, thank you for your request, I love mermaids, so here is your request 🪼🧜‍♀️✨️. Comments, feedback and reblogs appreciated 😊

Newt scamander had a new founded creature within a new enclosure, sanctuary.

"Hey, buddy! Don't know where we're going, but feels like we're tryna' beat the Christmas rush on a late night." Jacob said, huffing as he tried to keep up with this crazy fellow he met a few months ago.

"Quickly, Oh Jacob, I've the most exciting new discovery to show you." Newt couldn't wait to show his newfound friend of a recent new species he was yet to explore. As they trailed down the stairs, he stopped in front of a room. The room simulated a nightie ominous glow.

Jacob, trying to catch his breath, looked up, his gaze landing on a silver tank, sealed with a rotary valve.

"Um, a tank? You wanted to show me how plumbin' worked?" He attempted to joke, seeming a little disappointed compared to the other creatures Newt had shown.

"I-i found them, on the shores near the Caribbean, some poachers wanted to dissect them for their skin, for medicine, of course." Newt's voice went a little quiet with disdain on the last line. He was known for being kind-hearted and soft-spoken. But. There were some, only a few people he truly despised—those who wanted to hurt his creatures.

Newt flickered his wand, muttering "lux." A sub spell to lumos. Instead of the wand igniting light, the light ignites in the room.

As Jacob glanced closer, his eyes couldn't make anything at first, until, he saw a bioilluminscent light illuminate through darkness.

Your oral arms gently floated as your tentacles flowed with the current, searching for food. As Jacob glanced up at your face, you illuminated a combination of different colours. Pink, red, Orange, blue, sometimes flashing your colours, investigating this new person.

The bell on your head opened, showing the inner muscle illuminating. Jacob stepped back as your bell closed keeping you afloat.

"W-what is that?" Jacob asked, astounded and amazed. Newt smiling with excitement at his new discovery, "At first, I thought this Cnidaria's habitat was located around the Amazon, but, it was only recently I discovered, their from the deep or as you muggles put it, the hadal zone."

"Cnida-who-now-" he questioned.

"Cnidaria, a phylum of the jellyfish, sea anemones and corals." Newt stated.

"So what'cha sayin' is their a jellyfish." He concluded.

"Of the sort yes, but, I decided to give them a name of homo gelata pisces."

"Homo, gelato pieces got it."

Newt then waved his wand. The window of the tank becoming a liquid entrance. "Unfortunately, we can't open the top, their-uh-not used to this kind of pressure."

"Pressure? Their a fish right, ain't a tank enough."

"No, not really, if you lived in a different environment with different pressures, you'd explode, becoming a blob of organs."

As Newt encouraged Jacob to touch you, he was amazed and entranced. As if you were a mystical alien from another planet.

You turned, sensing a strange presence. "Boy mister, I must say this is truly somethin'."

"No-no, wait, not there—."

Quickly newt grabbed Jacobs hand.

"What?" He quickly jercked his hand back in shock.

"Not the tentacles, one touch and the stinging can last up to a year, the most painful thing imaginable."

"Ok, noted." He said.

"Try up here, the bell." Newt guided his hand to touch the bell of your head. The sensation of your head was soft, slimy and squishy with weird muscle movement.

You emitted a strange pattern of colours. Newt smiled further, finding you a fascination. "They like you."

"Really? How can you tell?".

"Most creatures use sound to communicate but—in the deep its different. I studied different patterns of lights, similar to your muggles morse code. They use lights for communication."

You emitted different colours of blue, pink and red.

"Yes, he's a dear friend of mine."

Jacob was amazed. How newt could get all that from just a flash of light was mind boggling.

You then flashed red, green and yellow.

"Don't worry, you're safe here with me."

Jacob then asked "hey, uh, tell em' if they might like one of my uh baked goods."

You flashed a colour of red and white.

Newt smiled "they said, they'd love to. They live on a diet of mostly zooplankton but, they can adapt to such food changed its incredible."

You flashed a colour of blue and pink.

"What, uh, what does that mean, mister."

"They say your rather the spectacal, a good person with a good heart." Newt translated.

Newt suddenly saw something he had never seen, your large oral arm lifted to touch Newt's and Jacob's. Wrapping around the fabric of their clothes. Your tentacles floated around them.

You didn't sting them but used this as a formal greeting in your kind.

Newt eventually moved you into a much more nicer enclosure where you were free to float where you liked as he fed you zooplankton. You would absorb it through the bell of your head.

Newt spent alot of time with you, you were the most enchanting creature he ever met.

One day, when you turned human by accident. You couldn't help but this whole new world a spectacle. Your skin had bioilluminscent lights and yet your features were more glowing then most humans.

Newt took care of you showing you the whole world and teaching you of wizards and witches.

You were able to transform at will between human and homo gelata pisces.

During valentines day, you learnt of feelings. You had developed feelings for newt in your human form.

When he dove into the tank with you, your whole body lit up as you shared a kiss with him.

He swore to bring you back to your home after.

Requests open ✨️

[tbhimnoteasyonmyself]

4 Minutes Theory:

What Dr. Den Doesn't Know

Hello. It is I again.

You know the procedure: It's under the cut.

Let's go.

Is It Dream Theory???

I think I could've started by explaining the things that made me consider the theory that I propose today BUT, I think it's only fair to address the elephant in the room first:

Are the events of 4 Minutes dream theory?

Look: maybe I'm wrong and I just fucking hate dream theory bc it's so overused, unoriginal and pointless but I wanna (and I do) believe it's not what's going on. Well... Not exactly.

Let's take it apart.

My favourite guy over here ^ (look at him, he's beautiful and he's precious and I love him, I wanna keep him inside my house and feed him treats, 'cause he's such a good boy), Dr. Den, is, and we know this since the beginning, conducting a study on what happens to people's brains when they go into cardiac arrest.

More especifically, he wants to know what happens to the brain within the 4 minutes during which it is still alive and without oxygen (before the person either dies or gets medical help).

For this, bc

(Yes, thank you, Pirates of the Caribbean) Dr. Den is collecting information through the people that have survived that experience. And, so far what we knew was: people have weird experiences when their brain doesn't have oxygen. Which, fair enough, that much was expected.

HOWEVER, this episode (or ep.5, for the people in the future. btw hi 👋) he get LORE through Dr. Den, my our favourite medical exposition guy. And here's what he says:

"Patients' perceptions vary based on their experiences. Some relive past experiences. Some have supernatural powers. Some go back to fix past mistakes. Some get a fresh start with those they love.

Patients' experiences feel real but they aren't entirely accurate. Patients can see memories, hear sounds or feel brief sensations of pain. Even if it is unrelated to what else is going on."

So this might seem pretty revealing and easy to understand: what we've seen so far was going on in Great's brain. This is his dream and it's what his brain is making up to keep him going during the 4 minutes where it nervously waits for someone to rescue it from impending doom.

And yes, I'm not crazy enough to say that's wrong but... Every situation has at least 3 versions of it, we say in Portuguese: mine, yours and the others'. And what I believe we need to see here is that:

What we know is merely what people remember when they wake up and what the medical staff can tell is happening to the body whose brain is 4 minutes without oxygen. It is NOT the whole truth. Not even close.

What Is It Then?

See, I could try and show the evidence first and then make a conclusion but I wanna hit you with a banger theory right away so Imma say it rn:

People's dreams when their brains have no oxygen in them are gateways that generate alternative realities.

And I hear you say: "okay but that's last week's theory, that's not new" and yes, you're correct HOWEVER, under the light of episode 5's events I feel like I need to prove this again. So let's hit it, Fergie!

1 - Dr. Den Recognizes He Has No Idea What the Time Travel Thing Is

Now, I know this might just mean Den recognizes he can't explain why it seems many people seem to experience this exact phenomenon of the 4 minutes time travel (which by itself is weird and opens up room for debate on what it means, even on a purely medical level) but I believe it can be used as evidence that something else is going on. That whatever that time travel means it goes being current human medicine, you know?

Even if not, it does prove my earlier point that what we're seing is only a fraction of the truth, that there is more to uncover. And a clear indication of the series (although it might be subtle to many) that we should be looking beyond on what lies on the surface and what Den is telling us.

2 - We're Being Shown Events in the Timeline Where Great Has Powers that Great Couldn't Possibly Know Because He Wasn't There

This is one of the strongest evidence points for me. Because explain to me how and why this man knows what Tyme told his grandma this episode.

Or how he knows conversations that happened between Dome and the medical staff?

Sure, Ig you can argue that maybe his brain imagines that's what happens, especially in Tyme's case since, I suppose it would be a nice thing to keep going for to think that your lover is rushing your way but... He barely knows Dome outside of being his classmate so that rule doesn't apply there. The events of Dome's life are, matter of fact, nearly irrelevant to Great's life (outside of the way in which they change Tonkla and Korn's relationship and, therefore, Korn's actions - which is why he was so hurt this episode to be demanded to let Tonkla go, since Tonkla's brother never dies and so he never met Win, thus they never broke up).

And what does anyone even have to say about what we're shown about Dr. Den's research? How does Great know that? Is he making it up? Does he know this in the original universe? How? He doesn't have the powers in the original universe, does he? Did Tyme tell him? Just casually? Idk, it could be, but...

Based on a very good point @yakdee (great URL btw) made on this post about how different the circumstances, motives and depth of GreatTyme's relationship and how they seem to be way more distant than in the current timeline, I do believe it's farfetched to think that Tyme would give Great any free info on his life and that of people around him. Much less on something so specific and seemingly uninteresting to Tyme (how can he, that topic is fascinating) as Den's research. I don't think it would even come to his mind. Matter of fact, I think it's only more prevalent to him in the current timeline bc of what Great told him. Otherwise, he couldn't care less.

Plus, if we think about it more closely... How many lives is Great's brain processing at once, then?? Isn't that kind of a lot?? Doesn't it make more sense for this to be an entirely different timeline where this things ARE happening??

PS: I know I could've also used Korn's dialogues as evidence but since he's the bridge between Great and Tonkla, I think it's hard to use his scenes as evidence for anything bc they could be happening in either Past 1 (the bad past with a bit of an oddity) or Past 2 (the past where Great time travels) [if you want to understand more of why I refer to these timelines this way, pls check out my previous theory]. I don't tink they change much regardless, Korn seems to be the person whose life is the least affected by the changes, out of all the main characters, but... Regardless, I don't think it's good practice to build over a shaky foundation so I have not.

3 - Great Can't Fix His Mother's Death

Now tell me why

(Ain't nothing but a heartache and a mistake, indeed, my friends) But that wasn't where I was going...

What I meant was: if your brain is making up a better reality where you can fix everything you did wrong, then why the fuck would it choose for your mother to die anyway??? Why, out of all things, was the only thing you could never fix your mom dying??

And sure, I know, I know, people will make the argument that it's the trauma and, like, yeah, Ig if you wanna believe that, that must've been that man's most traumatic moment, sure, I agree. But is that enough? The answer, I think, is: we don't know. Maybe, maybe not...

So... You can believe whatever, so far, I suppose, but the fact is that it leaves it open to interpretation why the events are so. Which means, it can be speculated that, the actual reason behind she dying again is because, for the 1st time since we've started to see Great's trajactory with his powers, he made the wrong choices.

And this is not me saying he's dumb, by the way, like... It's easy to ask for help for someone who's dying. It's only midly hard to land a punch on an murderer, even when he's your best friend. And it's certainly not unthinkable to open up to your crush, even when what you have to reveal is that you're a little bit crazy.

But I think it's extremely hard to stop a man with a gun. Even when your mom's life is on the line.

In a way, maybe, there is no timeline where Great can change that moment when it comes. Maybe timelines where he can avoid that moment from happening in the first place, yeah... But none in which he can avoid it if it's already there. (remember what I said about Greek Tragidies last week? yeah... it's coming up nicely)

And maybe this is not evidence for some people, which I respect, but to me, narrative intent and logic can be used to make a point. And I think making certain tragidies repeat themselves is part of what the narrative of 4 minutes is about too.

I know last time I talked about the power of people's actions and butterfly effect but that is only part of reality. A lot is under our control but a lot also isn't. And I think it's fair to assume, if the 1st part of this series was about the power, the 2nd will be about the impotence (which is not the sexual kind but I think the amount of sex we've seen in the 1st part is definitely a narrative tool and the fact this was the 1st episode without any sex scene [the flashbacks obviously don't count] is also being one).

Thus, my theory makes narrative sense.

4 - Tonkla's Weird Experiences Exist Outside of Great's Knowledge AND the Timeline He's In

Okay, I get it. It is possible to find alternative explanations to what I'm interpreting here and maybe that makes you doubt me. Fair. But then explain to me what the actual fuck is happening to Tonkla. Pls.

How is that man hearing his dead brother's voice? Seeing his dead cat walk around??

What does that mean? How can we be seing that if it's just all in Great's head??

I explained in my earlier theory (please check it out) that we're being given direct access to 3 different timelines: the one where Great is in the ER (pre-opening scenes), the one where Great has superpowers (Great-related scenes) and the one where Tonkla hears his brother and sees the cat (Tonkla-related scenes).

Based on that I can't possibly assume Great in the ER who's creating the timeline of Great with superpowers knows what's going on in the Tonkla timeline. He just can't. How would he even? He has no idea (as far as we know) who Tonkla is, that Dome is his brother, that bro had a cat that got killed by his father and that he buried it in Uni grounds... So we can't place that, no matter what, as just another figment of Great's imagination. Those events have to be real.

And if those events, which seem to be caused by Great's interference with the space-time continuum, are real, then that means, no doubts, that the Great Has Powers timeline also has to be.

So What Does It Mean??

Good question, Miley.

Luckily I have a beautifully tragic answer for you:

It means that when/if Great wakes up from the ER in his timeline nothing will have changed. The events of his life will be exactly the same and life will go on with the consequences of the choices he made the first time. Just like they are for Lukwa who woke up exactly in the same universe as she lost consciousness.

HOWEVER, while for that Great things will be as shitty as they were when he left, it also means that, far away from him, just like there must be another Timeline for Lukwa, there is a different timeline, with a Great who made different choices and, therefore, got a different end.

How different? I don't know. We're yet to see. But I think when we know, we'll be able to compare the two or three (maybe even more, we'll see now that the Great with Powers is also without oxygen in his brain) timelines we're being shown and take our own conclusions about the weight of our actions and the meaning of mistakes.

Final Thoughts

I think this series is doing a great job of making us question a lot of things like what is reality, how time works, what is the real weight of a choice, what is a choice, etc... And I can't wait to see where it leads us. I'm really hyped to understand this narrative.

As usual, if you guys wanna comment or add anything or ask anything or whatever it is, please do! Let's give soul to this fandom and interact with each other, yeah?

In the meantime...

All the love! 💜💜💜

[tsunflowers]

review corner nonfiction edition

I learned a lot about the nesting habits of sea turtles from christine figgener's "my life with sea turtles." that's bc it's hard to study anything else about sea turtle lifestyles since they're out in the ocean the rest of the time. ms figgener is arguably the person who started the plastic straw panic of the past ten years by posting a video of a sea turtle with a plastic straw stuck up its nose. she's been working with sea turtles in Costa Rica for most of her professional life so she has a lot to say about them but also a little about the outdated colonial thought that pervades the conservation world and the poor treatment of women in science. if you have any interest in sea turtles check it out. my two semi-joking complaints are that her combination of science and memoir is pretty clumsy in a funny way and for some reason she describes people coming together to protect turtles as "dumbledore's army"

also we have to talk about how big leatherback sea turtles are. wtf

"ice" by amy brady is a really good book about a somewhat strange subject. ms brady tracks the history of commercial ice use in the United States, from the first guy to make an ice machine down in florida to the utah olympic oval where 100 world records in speed skating have been set. I don't think about ice much beyond putting it in my drinks but this book has opened my mind to its fascinating history and many uses. a guy named frederic tudor tried to sell ice from boston to the Caribbean in 1806 but everyone there was like wtf and he had to give it away to cafe owners for free to convince them their customers would like cold drinks. modern cocktail geeks are making their own ice in huge blocks and chipping it down to get the exact right size and shapes for their drinks. therapeutic hypothermia and cryosurgery use ice in medicine, medicinal hypothermia since the late 1930s. plus there's the fact that even people who study ice don't entirely understand the properties that make it so slippery. I really recommend this book to learn the surprisingly crazy history of ice

[goingtreasure]

whitebeard and the blackbeard's son | p.jw

pairing: park jeongwoo x reader (f)

word count: 8.3k

genre: angst, adventure, slowburn.

warnings: violence, death, toxic relationships, mention of kidnapping.

synopsis: jeongwoo embarked on a quest to prove himself to his father, blackbeard, by attempting to kill his nemesis, whitebeard. however, he was unaware that whitebeard's true identity would completely alter his path.

author's note: after two years since my last update, i'm back! i wrote this fanfiction some months ago and decided to post it now since the reboot is coming (i'm so excited!). i think of this as a origin story for pirate jeongwoo hehe. i hope you enjoy it as much as i did!

author's inspirations: show - our flag means death (max). song - i bet on losing dogs (mitski)

Jeongwoo had finally accomplished it. After years of meticulous research, tracking ships in secret, studying combat skills, habits, and victims, he had gathered almost all the information he needed to defeat Whitebeard, one of the most notorious pirates of the sea. This was his chance to avenge his father and prove himself once and for all.

As the son of Blackbeard, the infamous pirate, Jeongwoo had grown up in a world of ruthlessness and violence. Blackbeard had collected countless enemies and was feared by even the most dangerous pirates. However, when a new pirate named Whitebeard emerged in the Caribbean, he became Blackbeard's worst enemy, taunting him with his name. Determined to confront the newcomer, Blackbeard engaged in a battle at sea.

During the fight, Blackbeard's crew seemed to have the upper hand, but Whitebeard's intelligence and strategic prowess turned the tide. They damaged Blackbeard's ship, disabled his strongest crew members, including Blackbeard himself, and plundered all the treasure. Whitebeard, however, never showed his face or set foot on their ship, maintaining a mysterious identity. Many believed he suffered from a terrible disease that prevented him from engaging in direct combat. Now, Jeongwoo was about to uncover the truth.

Under the guise of trading treasure on a nearby island, Jeongwoo secretly planned his move. He knew that Whitebeard's crew frequently replenished their supplies on a small island to the east. After carefully avoiding attention and hiding in the island's woods for several days, he spotted a large ship docking on the beach. Observing from a distance, he became certain that it was Whitebeard's ship.

Waiting for most of the crew to disembark, Jeongwoo infiltrated the ship, incapacitating anyone who stood in his way. He intended to execute a silent assassination, killing the captain and escaping and leaving behind a letter signed by himself. Jeongwoo was confident that Whitebeard, who never left his room, would be there. However, as he cautiously opened the door, he discovered an empty room, devoid of any presence.

"Where could he be hiding?" Jeongwoo whispered to himself, feeling a mix of relief and unease. This was the moment he had prepared for all his life, yet something felt off.

He scanned the room, filled with disarray—clothes, medicine, and books scattered around. A large world map adorned one wall, while a plush bed covered in fabrics and blankets dominated the center. Suddenly, he noticed a slight movement coming from beneath the blankets—a rhythmic rise and fall. There was no doubt about it; Whitebeard was concealed there.

Jeongwoo steadied his weapon, standing before the bed, prepared to end the man's life. However, a strange feeling compelled him to see the face of his father's greatest adversary before delivering the fatal blow. With trembling hands, he slowly pulled back the blanket, but the sight that greeted him was unexpected.

Instead of Whitebeard, he found a young woman with white hair, dressed in a beige satin dress with long sleeves. The boy was momentarily paralyzed by the sight before him. This innocent girl had been mistaken for the fearsome pirate captain.

"A girl?" he murmured to himself, unintentionally waking you from your slumber. Your eyes opened slowly, leaving him with no chance to hide within the cabin.

"Hello," you greeted, your voice filled with sleepiness.

"Who are you? What are you doing here?" Jeongwoo asked, his voice filled with surprise, unable to comprehend the calmness in your demeanor despite the danger you were in.

"You seem nervous." you remarked, observing his reaction. “My name is Y/N.”

"I came here for Whitebeard." Jeongwoo stated, trying to make sense of the situation.

A faint smile graced your lips. "Well, then you found him. I'm Whitebeard."

Jeongwoo's heart pounded in his chest as he processed the unexpected revelation before him. The girl with white hair, Y/N, claimed to be Whitebeard—the very person he had intended to kill. The tremor in his hands intensified, betraying his nervousness. He took a step back, struggling to comprehend the truth. It seemed inconceivable that someone so young could hold the title of a feared pirate captain when he himself struggled to gain respect among his own crew.

"You're lying! Where is Whitebeard?" Jeongwoo demanded, unable to accept the reality unfolding before him.

Your laughter filled the cabin, carrying a hint of amusement. "I'm not the lying kind. The truth is, my name was originally intended to be Whitehair, but people misheard it as 'beard' and I went along with it. I must say, I'm quite surprised you managed to reach here without facing punishment from my crew. You must be a formidable pirate."

Jeongwoo's confusion deepened even more, his conviction wavered. He found himself unable to act upon his murderous intent as he looked upon the spirited girl who awaited her fate.

"I don't understand," Jeongwoo stammered, his disbelief evident. His grip on the knife loosened, his hands dropping to his sides. The confusion within him battled against the impulse to carry out his revenge.

Chuckling lightly, you settled onto the bed, examining the young man before you. "I can see why you're surprised. Most people react the same way, especially new crew members. By the way, that's a good choice of weapon you have there. Sharp and effective for breaking bones. Luckily for me, I've been feeling like dying these past few days. So, what are you waiting for?" you asked, your gaze fixed upon him.

"I... I can't do it. You're a woman," Jeongwoo confessed, his voice laced with uncertainty.

A glimmer of curiosity danced in your eyes. "You've never killed a woman before?"

In fact, Jeongwoo had never killed anyone before, regardless of their gender.

From a young age, Blackbeard had trained Jeongwoo to embody his strength and eventually succeed him as captain. However, the weight of taking a life was a burden Jeongwoo couldn't bear. Fear gripped him, rendering him unable to follow in his father's ruthless footsteps. Consequently, Blackbeard became increasingly ashamed of his own son, distancing Jeongwoo from perilous battles and treacherous islands, effectively dismissing any notion of him becoming his successor. The once-promising young pirate had been reduced to a mere kitchen assistant.

The very reason he was driven to prove himself, came from his father's relentless pursuit of molding him into a fearsome assassin of the seas.

The absence of a response made it clear to you that he wasn't a killer. Despite your preference for staying in your room, you had a knack for understanding people through their behavior due to all the books you’ve read. The boy, who was around your age, appeared scared and confused. It had been a long time since you last talked to someone young. It made you question if this was how you were expected to behave. Should you also be afraid of life and death just like him? You wondered what those emotions were like.

"Well, if it makes you feel more at ease, I could take my own life and you can pretend it was you," you suggested, trying to ease his discomfort.

"What? Why? Why would you do that?" Jeongwoo asked, bewildered.

"Why wouldn't I?" you responded with a nonchalant shrug.

Jeongwoo felt like you were toying with him, playing games with his mind.

"Cause... you're Whitebeard! You possess wealth and power beyond imagination," he argued.

"I can understand why you might think that," you replied calmly. "But having everything doesn't guarantee happiness or fulfillment. There are things in life that money and power can't provide."

Your words brought a pause to the conversation as Jeongwoo tried to process this perspective. The idea that there could be something missing from the life of someone as influential as Whitebeard intrigued him.

“For instance, I've never had a pet dog because I’m afraid it might fall into the sea. Why would I live if I can't have a dog?”

Wanting to die because of a dog? It didn't make sense to him. After all, many ships had dogs as companions, and the fear of losing one to the sea seemed excessive and irrational. The boy couldn't help the thought that perhaps you were just a crazy person, he found it difficult to take your words seriously.

You rose from the bed, stepping onto the wooden floor with your bare feet, standing directly in front of Jeongwoo. The boy remained frozen, unable to move in your presence. Your intense gaze made him feel self-conscious.

"Will you do it?" you asked, your voice filled with anticipation.

"No..." Jeongwoo admitted, his voice filled with resignation. "I can't."

"Coward." you snapped, your anger replacing your previous calm demeanor.

Without warning, you forcefully pushed the knife out of Jeongwoo's grip, catching him off guard. A struggle ensued as both of you fought for control of the weapon. You pushed the knife towards your own neck, while Jeongwoo desperately resisted, pushing back.

"Stop it immediately!" Jeongwoo pleaded, his voice filled with fear.

"No! I want to die!" you exclaimed, your voice filled with frustration and despair.

The fight abruptly stopped as you both heard the sound of an explosion coming from outside. The sudden noise caught your attention, momentarily distracting you from the intense struggle and bringing a sense of uncertainty to the room. Momentarily stunned by the unexpected blast, you released your grip on the knife, which clattered to the floor. The urgency of the situation overshadowed your previous conflict as you instinctively turned your attention towards the chaos unfolding outside the cabin.

"The ship is on fire!" one of your crewmates screamed, her voice filled with panic, as she desperately tried to open the door to your room. Despite her efforts, the door remained stubbornly locked.

Jeongwoo's eyes widened in alarm, and he turned to you, searching for answers. But instead of panic, he found you smiling to yourself, a strange gleam in your eyes.

"The ship is on fire," you repeated softly, almost in awe.

Confusion and concern filled Jeongwoo's voice as he asked, "What are you talking about?"

Ignoring his question, you hurriedly rummaged through your belongings, searching for something specific. Your hands found a large box of gunpowder, and without hesitation, you tossed it onto the floor of the room. The contents spilled out, forming a dangerous circle of flammable material.

Realizing what you were about to do, Jeongwoo lunged forward, desperately attempting to stop you. But it was too late. The room was already filled with thick smoke, making it difficult to see and breathe.

A struggle ensued between the two of you, the suffocating smoke clouding your senses and heightening the chaos. You fought against Jeongwoo's attempts to restrain you, pushing him away with a desperate strength fueled by a strange determination.

In the chaos of the struggle, Jeongwoo lost his footing and fell to the floor, his body slumping unconscious. The smoke continued to billow around the room, its suffocating grip tightening with each passing second.

Jeongwoo had made many mistakes in his life, but none compared to the decision to kill Whitebeard. Despite knowing that it could lead to his demise, he had hoped for an honorable death, a valiant battle against one of the revered kings of the sea. Now, he was dead, and his crew would remain in perpetual waiting, unaware of his fate.

However, as Jeongwoo surrendered to the embrace of death, a peculiar sensation washed over him. Instead of the anticipated darkness and stillness, he felt a gentle breeze upon his face, carrying with it the unmistakable scent of the ocean. In the distance, a captivating voice sang a haunting melody, unfamiliar yet oddly comforting. It was not the symphony of death, but something entirely different.

Slowly, Jeongwoo opened his eyes, his surroundings shifting from darkness to a blinding brightness. And there he lay, not in the clutches of death, but on the sandy floor of a beach, safe and unharmed. Beside him sat Y/N, the source of the melody that had captivated his senses.

Confusion and relief washed over Jeongwoo as he struggled to comprehend his current state. "Am I alive?" he questioned, his voice filled with a mix of astonishment and gratitude.

You turned your gaze towards Jeongwoo, a mischievous smile playing on your lips. "No, my friend, we both died and unfortunately, we didn't make it to heaven. Welcome to hell." you joked, adding a playful smirk.

Jeongwoo looked at you, slightly taken aback by your remark.

"No, we're not dead. Well, at least you are not dead," you clarified, your tone now more serious.

As Jeongwoo settled down, his eyes adjusting to the sunlight, he couldn't help but inquire about the fate of your ship. "What happened to your ship?" he asked, evident worry in his voice.

"Oh, it burned down completely. I had to carry you all the way up to the beach cause you refused to wake up." you explained, a tinge of exhaustion in your voice. "My crew already gave up on trying to find me. Whitebeard is finally dead."

The weight of your words lingered in the air, mingling with a sense of irony and regret. Jeongwoo absorbed the gravity of the situation, his thoughts drifting to the consequences of his actions and the unpredictable path that lay before them.

"What are you going to do now?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.

"I don't know," you replied, your eyes tracing the vastness of the ocean. "But I'm happy I'm not really dead. And now you can say that you killed Whitebeard as well.”

Jeongwoo clutched his knees tightly as he contemplated the implications of your words. A mixture of guilt and disbelief washed over him, realizing the weight of his actions and the role he inadvertently played in Whitebeard's demise.

"Can I ask you something?" Jeongwoo said. You nodded, signaling your willingness to answer.

"Your room was full of medicine, what is that for?" he inquired, his eyes reflecting genuine interest.

"Oh, that. I have a weak body, you see. That's why I never actively participated in battles. The medicine I had in my room helped me manage the pain and discomfort that came with it." You maintained a positive demeanor, even when discussing serious matters. "I should've thought about that before I burned my room down. Now I have no access to those medicines anymore."

Jeongwoo listened intently, realizing the extent of your struggles and the sacrifices you had made. It deepened his understanding of who you were beyond the legendary figure of Whitebeard.

"Can I ask you something too?" You said with a hopeful look in your eyes.

"Of course," Jeongwoo replied, curious about your request.

"Could you take me with you on your ship?"

Jeongwoo's eyes widened in surprise. "What?"

"See, I want to experience life as a pirate without being the captain. I've always been sheltered and protected, spending my days confined to that room because my crewmates feared for my safety. I want to be a regular crewmate and see what life is like beyond my previous duties. Please, bring me along to your ship."

Jeongwoo hesitated, taken aback by your request. "I'm sorry, but..."

"Please, I promise I won't be a burden. I was always the brains behind our quests, I can help out if you need it. I'll be good company, and once I find a new place to live, I'll leave, I promise!"

"Y/N," he interrupted, seriousness in his voice tone, "I'm a Blackbeard pirate." He braced himself for your reaction, unsure of how you would take the news.

But instead of being devastated or shocked, you looked at him with a knowing smile. "Oh, I already knew. The moment I laid eyes on your knife, I recognized it. That type of blade is exclusively crafted for Blackbeard's crew. I intentionally left yours in my room to make it look like you're the one who caused my death."

Jeongwoo's eyes widened in surprise, his secret now out in the open. "You knew all along?"

You nodded, a playful glint in your eyes. "I told you I'm smart."

"And you still want to join my father's crew?" Jeongwoo asked, concern etched on his face.

"Father? Oh, that's news to me," you replied with a hint of surprise. "But yes, I do!"

"Listen, if he finds out you're Whitebeard, he might do something drastic. I am his son, but I have no idea what he's capable of." Jeongwoo warned, his worry palpable.

"That's a risk I'm willing to take. After all, I'm already familiar with pain." you said, a tinge of determination in your voice as you alluded to your health condition.

Jeongwoo carefully considered the situation, contemplating his father's nature and your resolute spirit. Finally, he made a decision.

"Alright. You can come with me. I'll help you get the medicines you need and we'll disguise your appearance so that your crewmates won't recognize you if they happen to come across us. Having white hair won't exactly blend in well with my crew."

You listened attentively, ready to fulfill your part in the plan.

"But there's one more thing," Jeongwoo continued. "We will have to convince my crew that I killed you, I mean, Whitebeard. It's crucial to ensure your safety. Can you do that?"

A mischievous smile crossed your face as you accepted the challenge. "Consider it done. Together, we'll weave a convincing tale that even Blackbeard himself won't question."

With an agreement in place, you and Jeongwoo embarked on a journey filled with secrets, transformations, and the unpredictable dynamics of a notorious pirate crew.

The crew of Blackbeard was going about their usual activities. Some pirates diligently cleaned the deck, others sharpened their weapons, and a few studied maps. Amidst this routine, the sharp-eyed navigator, Jaehyuk, spotted a tiny boat approaching their ship. He recognized it instantly—Jeongwoo had returned after two long months.

"Jeongwoo is back on the ship!" Jaehyuk’s voice echoed through the air, grabbing the attention of the sailors.

The crew quickly gathered, eagerly awaiting their comrade's arrival. As Jeongwoo stepped onto the deck, he was warmly embraced by his friends.

"Welcome back, mate!" Jihoon, Blackbeard's trusted right-hand man, exclaimed with joy.

However, Jeongwoo's demeanor betrayed a sense of terror rather than excitement. He surveyed the surroundings, his father conspicuously absent. Soon, he would have to reveal the lie he had planned.

"Where's the captain?" Jeongwoo inquired, his voice tinged with apprehension.

"Blackbeard is in his cabin. We're preparing to dock at a new island." Jihoon responded, noting the unusual behavior displayed by the young pirate. "Is something the matter?"

Without uttering a word, Jeongwoo swiftly made his way towards his father's quarters, leaving Jihoon with unanswered questions.

"Well, look who we have here..." Doyoung, the ship's chef, remarked with a sly grin as he peered down at the boat beside the ship, catching sight of you.

Jeongwoo hesitated for a moment before mustering the courage to knock on his father's door. He did it and Blackbeard's voice boomed from within, "Who is it?"

"It's me, Captain. I'm back." Jeongwoo responded, his voice slightly shaky.

There was a brief pause before Blackbeard granted him entry. Jeongwoo pushed open the door and stepped into the room, which resembled more of an office than a living space. A large desk cluttered with papers and boxes of weapons dominated the room's center.

"Hello, Father," Jeongwoo greeted, standing before the imposing desk. Blackbeard remained engrossed in his maps, not bothering to look up.

"I have something important to tell you," Jeongwoo continued, his voice earnest. "I lied about going to trade treasure. In truth, I've been working on a plan to eliminate a rival captain. And... I succeeded. I killed him and burned his ship, leaving one of our knives as proof. I'm certain the news will reach you soon."

"I understand. But you didn't mention the crucial part," Blackbeard stated, his voice laced with curiosity. He fixed his intense gaze on Jeongwoo, waiting for the revelation. “Whom did you kill?”

Taking a deep breath, Jeongwoo summoned his courage and spoke, his voice tinged with both apprehension and resolve. "I... I killed Whitebeard, sir," he confessed, the weight of his words hanging in the air. The significance of his action was not lost on either of them.

He looked down, awaiting his father's reaction, but to his surprise, Blackbeard remained focused on his maps, seemingly unperturbed by the revelation.

"Father?" Jeongwoo stammered, seeking acknowledgment.

Without looking up, Blackbeard replied with a dismissive tone, "I heard you. If what you say is true, then I will wait for the news to reach me in due time."

"Additionally, I brought someone back with me to the ship. I hope that's not a problem." Jeongwoo said.

"Your guest is your responsibility. Now, return to your usual duties. "

Jeongwoo's heart sank at his father's lack of response. It seemed that his confession had fallen on deaf ears. He couldn't help but wonder what lay behind his father's impassive facade.

After leaving his room, Jeongwoo hurried to the boat to bring you up to his room. However, to his surprise, you were no longer there. His crewmates had already taken the initiative to escort you to Jeongwoo's quarters. As he entered the room, he noticed Doyoung lingering by your side, a flirtatious smirk on his face.

"Here's some clothes from our shortest crewmates. These are men's outfits, but it might fit you for now!" Doyoung said, placing the garments in your hands. He made a subtle move, his hand briefly brushing against yours in a flirtatious manner.

Jeongwoo's annoyance grew as he witnessed Doyoung's advances. It seemed that his friend couldn't resist flirting with any woman he encountered.

"Oh, Jeongwoo. Hi!" Doyoung greeted, his playful tone evident. "Did Jeongwoo tell you he's my assistant?"

"I think that's enough, Doyoung" Jeongwoo interjected, his voice tinged with annoyance.

Noticing the tension, you decided to break the ice. "Hey, how did things go with your father?"

Jeongwoo glanced at Doyoung and then turned to you. "Doyoung, could you excuse us for a moment? I need to talk to Y/N privately."

Doyoung shrugged, his flirtatious demeanor fading slightly. "Sure thing, Jeongwoo. I'll catch up with you later."

As Doyoung left the room, Jeongwoo closed the door behind him, creating a sense of privacy for your conversation.

"Did you tell him?" you asked, your curiosity piqued.

"Yes, I did. But he didn't believe me," Jeongwoo replied, frustration evident in his voice. He paced back and forth within the confines of the small room, trying to process his father's disbelief.

"I see," you nodded, understanding the situation. "Let's not dwell on it for now. It's only a matter of time before news of my... his death spreads throughout the Caribbean."

Jeongwoo sighed, releasing the tension in his brow. "I hope you're right," he murmured, his thoughts preoccupied with the uncertainty of their plan. He shifted gears, changing the topic. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm doing well," you replied, a hint of a smile playing on your lips. "The medicine we got on the way is helping a lot with the pain. Your crew has been welcoming and friendly."

Jeongwoo's expression softened, glad to hear that you were finding some comfort amidst the unfamiliar surroundings.

He took a better look at you, taking in your changed appearance. The clothes you wore were clearly mismatched and of questionable quality, and your long hair was concealed beneath a knit cap. The shoes on your feet seemed ill-fitting and out of place.

"Once we land on a commercial island, I'll make sure to get you proper clothing," Jeongwoo assured you, his voice filled with determination.

You nodded appreciatively, grateful for his consideration.

"This is my room. It's very small compared to yours, but it's the only one on the ship. At least I have one advantage as the captain's son," Jeongwoo chuckled, a hint of self-deprecating humor in his tone. "You can keep it to yourself."

"Really? But where will you sleep then?" you asked, concerned about his sleeping arrangements.

"With the other crewmates on the deck," he replied nonchalantly.

"Well, if you can sleep on the floor with them, you might as well sleep on the floor here," you suggested.

"I'm fine, don't worry," he assured you.

"Come on, we've been camping together all these past days. There's no difference between that and sharing a room," you reasoned.

"Fine, I'll think about it. But for now, I have to attend to my duties. Stay here, and we can talk later," Jeongwoo said, his attention turning to his responsibilities.

"Your duties as the cook's assistant?" you teased playfully.

"Hey, stop it!" he exclaimed, a faint smile gracing his face as he left you alone in the room.

The rest of the day deviated from your usual routine. In your previous life as Whitebeard, your days were consumed by studying and strategizing. However, in these past few days with Jeongwoo, you had taken on the role of his mentor, teaching him the art of combat and imparting your knowledge. It has been an enjoyable experience for both of you.

Now, with a moment of solitude, you seized the opportunity to remove your knit cap, allowing your hair to cascade freely. As you explored Jeongwoo's belongings, you stumbled upon a knife. Remembering his words from earlier, you made a decision. Determined to embrace this new chapter in your life, you courageously chopped off all of your white, long hair, leaving it shorter than Jeongwoo's own hair. It symbolized a fresh start, a declaration of your commitment to this new identity.

When Jeongwoo returned to invite you to dinner, he was taken aback by your new visual. The sight surprised him, but it also reassured him of your determination and commitment to this new chapter. You informed him that you weren't hungry at the moment, so he kindly brought you a plate of food to enjoy later.

As the night settled in, Jeongwoo made the decision to accept your request to become roommates. He settled himself on the floor while you took the bed, contemplating what the future held in store for both of you.

The next morning, a loud knock on Jeongwoo's door jolted him awake. Doyoung's voice came through, urgently informing him that Blackbeard wanted to see him. Panic surged through Jeongwoo as he realized you were no longer in your bed. He sprang into action, hastily making his way to the deck, anticipating the worst.

To his astonishment, instead of a tense confrontation, he was greeted with lively music and jubilant celebrations. The crewmates were in high spirits, reveling in the festivities.

“He’s awake!” Doyoung called out, drawing everyone's attention.

Blackbeard turned towards his son, his eyes filled with pride and joy. He opened his arms, welcoming him with warmth.

"My son," he said, placing a hand on Jeongwoo's shoulder. "Last night I sent Jihoon to the nearest island to verify the information you shared. He found this." Blackbeard retrieved a newspaper from his coat and handed it to Jeongwoo. The headline read: "Pirate Whitebeard killed by a member of Blackbeard's crew."

Jeongwoo looked up, his confusion deepening as he saw his father's wide grin. "I am proud of you, son." Blackbeard proclaimed, turning to address the rest of the crew. "My son has killed Whitebeard!" His words were met with cheers and applause, filling the air with jubilation.

Jeongwoo stood in disbelief, his emotions swirling. The truth had been accepted, and his father's pride washed away any doubts he had carried. It was a moment of validation and a turning point in his journey as a pirate.

"Where's Y/N?" Jeongwoo inquired, scanning the surroundings.

"Your new companion? She's over there, reading books to the boys!" Blackbeard pointed towards the stairs where you sat, engrossed in storytelling for the crew members. "It's a rare find to have someone so smart and well-read among us!"

Jeongwoo's heart swelled with a mix of emotions as he watched you captivate the crew with your storytelling. Gratitude, pride, and a lingering sense of guilt churned inside him. He had never felt valued by his crew before, and his father had never expressed pride in him until now. The conflicting emotions gnawed at him, but he couldn't deny the happiness that bloomed within.

Doyoung, ever exuberant, nudged Jeongwoo towards the festivities. "Let's celebrate!" he exclaimed, urging him to join the merry chaos unfolding around them.

And so they celebrated, laughter and music filling the air throughout the day. Jeongwoo revealed the joyous atmosphere, savoring the newfound recognition and acceptance. Yet, underneath it all, the weight of his guilt remained, a constant reminder of the choices he had made.

The following day, Jeongwoo found himself relieved of his duties in the kitchen. Blackbeard had a different plan for him - to train his battle skills under the guidance of Jihoon. It was a clear indication that his father saw potential in him beyond being a mere cook's assistant.

Meanwhile, you were slowly carving out your own place on the ship. Your ability to read and your intelligence had garnered respect from the crewmates. You found yourself aiding them with your knowledge, and even Blackbeard himself sought your assistance. In return, you received new clothes more suitable for a female pirate, as well as supplies of medicines and books to feed your thirst for knowledge.

Jeongwoo, too, experienced a transformation. He was bestowed with a new sword, a stylish monocle, and a pirate hat that accentuated his growing stature within the crew. Everything seemed to be falling into place, almost too perfectly.

As the months passed, Jeongwoo vowed to prove himself even more, to earn his place honestly and make his father truly proud. Yet, deep inside, despite the newfound recognition and joy, he couldn't fully embrace it without confronting the truth that simmered beneath the surface.

"Land ahoy!" Jihoon shouted, breaking the silence in the ship.

Blackbeard, standing beside Jeongwoo, turned his attention to his son. "Do you think that's the right island?" he inquired, testing Jeongwoo's knowledge and instincts.

"Yes, sir." Jeongwoo responded confidently, his gaze fixed upon the island ahead.

You, too, recognized the island. It held a special place in your memory, as it was rumored to be the location of an ancient treasure. However, you had never had the opportunity to search for it, as your fellow sailors deemed it too dangerous for you to venture ashore.

“Let me see…” Blackbeard assessed his crew, pondering who should accompany him on this expedition. After a brief pause, he made his decision. "Jihoon, Junghwan, Jeongwoo... and Y/N," he announced. "The four of you will join me. The rest can remain on the ship."

The crew members were taken aback by his decision to bring you, a girl, along on the expedition. They were well aware of the island's dangers, knowing that other pirates might be lurking there. However, despite their surprise, no one dared to intervene or question their captain's choice.

Blackbeard's trusted right-hand man, approached you with a serious expression. "Can you handle a sword?" he inquired, assessing your combat abilities.

"I'm actually better with guns," you replied confidently, recognizing your own strengths.

Jihoon nodded in understanding, reaching into his pocket and retrieving a gun, which he handed to you. "Good choice." he remarked, acknowledging your preference and arming you accordingly.

As you accepted the weapon, a sense of determination washed over you. “Thank you.”

You noticed Jeongwoo stealing glances at you with his familiar anxiousness. Understanding his concern, you nodded reassuringly, silently communicating that you were prepared for the journey ahead.

After the ship docked on the island, the five of you disembarked and ventured into the forest. The dense vegetation made progress difficult, but Blackbeard and the other two crewmates forged a path ahead, diligently following the directions on the map while clearing obstacles along the way. Jeongwoo and you trailed a few steps behind them, engaged in a quiet conversation.

"You should have said you didn't want to come," Jeongwoo voiced his worry.

"Why would I? It sounds like an adventure," you replied with a hint of excitement in your voice.

"But it's dangerous, especially for you." he expressed his concern.

"Don’t underestimate me, Jeongwoo. Despite my limitations, I still possess a wealth of experience." you assured him confidently. "I was once a great fighter before my health condition started to manifest. In the early days of my crew, I always embarked on new adventures.”

Jeongwoo's apprehensive expression softened as he took in your words. He couldn't help but appreciate your bravery and determination, even if it worried him.

"I'm actually glad you came with us..." Jeongwoo admitted. "I don't think i could do it without you."

"Absolutely, we're a team now," you replied. "A crew within the crew!"

The boy couldn't help but think about how different you and Blackbeard were. While you were known for your kindness and care, Blackbeard was renowned for his strength, brusqueness, and his position at the forefront of battles. The juxtaposition of your gentle nature and his fierce demeanor struck a chord with Jeongwoo, prompting him to realize that not every captain had to conform to the same mold.

As you continued your trek through the dense forest, a sudden shift in the atmosphere caught your attention. Your instincts heightened, and you swiftly halted your movement, causing Jeongwoo to turn towards you, a questioning look on his face. With a finger pressed to your lips, you silenced him, your senses alert and focused.

A strange, almost imperceptible sound reached your ears, causing a shiver to run down your spine. It was a sound that didn't belong in the natural rhythm of the forest. Gripping the gun that had been entrusted to you, you prepared yourself for the unexpected.

Breaking the silence with a commanding voice, you called out into the surrounding wilderness "We know you are here! Show yourselves!"

The declaration startled not only Jeongwoo, but also Blackbeard, Jihoon, and Junghwan. They turned their heads, scanning their surroundings with wide eyes, suddenly aware of the imminent threat.

In a matter of moments, the once seemingly tranquil forest came alive with movement. Figures surged from the foliage, surrounding you and your crew in a threatening formation.

"I see you have a map here," one of the enemy pirates jeered, a mocking laugh escaping his lips. "Give me that, big boy," he taunted.

The audacity of the pirate's words sent a ripple of amusement through the crew, as they witnessed someone daring to challenge the infamous their captain. Blackbeard's laughter echoed through the air, a deep, menacing sound that reverberated with power.

Without hesitation, Blackbeard drew his sword and his crewmates followed suit. The clash of steel filled the clearing as the two opposing forces collided in a fierce battle.

You and Jeongwoo fought side by side initially, hwever, the sheer numbers and tenacity of the opposing pirates overwhelmed you. In the chaos of the skirmish, you found yourself pushed back, stumbling and falling to the forest floor. But Jeongwoo remained in his protection, his unwavering loyalty shining through.

The battle raged on. Each swing of a sword, each evasive maneuver, and each determined strike propelled the conflict forward. The forest floor became a battleground, marred by the footprints of those engaged in the struggle.

Despite the enemy's relentless assault, Blackbeard's crew fought with a ferocity and skill that set them apart. The enemy pirates, though formidable, paled in comparison to the experienced warriors under Blackbeard's command.

Finally, the tides of battle began to turn in your favor. The enemy pirates, weakened and disheartened, succumbed to the relentless assault of Blackbeard's crew. The forest grew quiet, the heavy breaths of combatants punctuating the stillness.

As the final enemy pirate fell, defeated and broken, a sense of triumph and relief washed over the clearing. The remaining combatants stood tall, their bodies bruised and bloodied, but their spirits unyielding. Blackbeard's crew had emerged victorious, their reputation for strength and indomitable willpower reaffirmed.

Blackbeard firmly grasped the pirate who had dared to speak insolently before, his powerful hand closing around the young man's neck. Bloodstains marred the defeated boy's battered face, yet he still managed a defiant smile through the pain.

As you struggled to rise from the forest floor, Jeongwoo hurried to your side, concern etched across his features. He noticed that your white hair, previously covered by a knit hat, was now exposed. A sense of urgency filled the air as you frantically searched for the lost hat amidst the sand. Jeongwoo, ever attentive, joined in the search, determined to find it for you.

However, before the hat could be retrieved, Blackbeard's commanding voice broke through the commotion. "Jeongwoo? Come here, son," he beckoned, his grip on the pirate tightening as he pressed him against a nearby tree.

Jeongwoo obeyed, making his way towards his father's imposing figure.

As Jeongwoo stood beside Blackbeard, his father's piercing gaze bore into the captive pirate. Blackbeard's free hand reached into his coat, retrieving a knife adorned with the unmistakable mark of Blackbeard's crew. The knife, reminiscent of the one he had used when he first encountered you.

"Take this knife," Blackbeard commanded, placing it in Jeongwoo's hand. "Let's teach this kid a lesson. Show me exactly what you did to Whitebeard."

Jeongwoo's heart pounded in his chest as the weight of his father's expectations settled upon him. He tightened his grip on the knife, his fingers trembling ever so slightly.

Blackbeard callously dropped the defenseless pirate to the ground, creating a space for his son to reenact a murder that had never occurred. His request bore down on Jeongwoo, leaving him disoriented and unable to think straight. He had never imagined his father would be capable of demanding such a horrific act, yet deep down, he knew he shouldn't have been surprised.

"Go ahead, son," Blackbeard urged, his voice cold and demanding. "Kill this bastard and burn his body afterwards. Show us that you're capable of being my successor."

Jeongwoo stood frozen, his mind in turmoil. Every fiber of his being rebelled against the notion of carrying out his father's command. The weight of the knife in his hand felt like an anchor, dragging him into an abyss of moral conflict.

Time seemed to stand still as a deafening silence enveloped the forest. Blackbeard's frustration boiled over, his anger erupting in a primal scream that reverberated through the air.

"SHOW US!" Blackbeard bellowed, his voice filled with rage and disappointment.

But Jeongwoo couldn't bring himself to carry out such a heinous act. He refused to become a mere pawn in his father's ruthless game, to succumb to the darkness that Blackbeard represented.

"I won't..." Jeongwoo whispered, his voice barely audible.

"What? What the hell did you say?" Blackbeard seethed, his face contorted with anger.

Summoning his courage, Jeongwoo spoke with a newfound strength. "I said I won't kill him!" he declared, his words clear and resolute.

Instantly, his father's fist collided with his face, a brutal punch that sent Jeongwoo sprawling to the ground. The force of the blow reverberated through the air, the sound of impact echoing in the silence that engulfed the scene. The crew stood frozen, their gazes fixed upon the fallen young man, a mixture of shock and disbelief etched upon their faces.

"Enough!" a commanding voice rang out, cutting through the tension. Surprisingly, it was you.

Standing tall and defiant, you aimed your gun directly at Blackbeard himself.

"Put an end to this madness, Blackbeard," you demanded, your voice steady and unwavering. "Your son has made his choice, and you will respect it."

A stunned silence descended upon the forest as all eyes turned to you, the unexpected voice of reason in this chaotic scene.

"Who do you think you are to talk to me like this?" Blackbeard screamed, his voice filled with fury and disbelief.

"Whitebeard..." a voice interjected, joining the tense conversation. It was the defeated pirate whom Jeongwoo had refused to kill. He spoke slowly, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "I've always heard whispers on my island, rumors that a young girl was kidnapped from our church to serve as a scribe on a pirate ship, but instead she became the captain. The girl with the unmistakable white hair. Now I see, my people were right all along.”

The revelation hung in the air, casting a spell of astonishment over the assembled crowd.

Blackbeard's face contorted with a mixture of emotions—shock, denial, and a flicker of recognition. The realization that the formidable Whitebeard, revered as a fierce male pirate, was in fact a kidnapped child who had seized her own destiny.

In that moment, the power dynamics shifted, eroding the foundation of established hierarchies.

As the crew stood frozen in shock at the revelation, the fallen enemies seized the opportunity to strike back. Swiftly, they immobilized Junghwan and Jihoon, their movements deft and calculated. Meanwhile, Jeongwoo remained sprawled on the ground, still recovering from the forceful blow he had received.

Blackbeard regained his senses and unsheathed his sword, charging towards you with lethal intent. His eyes burned with rage and his sword gleamed menacingly in the sunlight. But before he could reach you, a resounding gunshot pierced the air, causing Blackbeard to halt in his tracks.

He clutched his chest, his hand stained with crimson blood, as his body crumpled to the ground.

The source of the gunshot was not you, however; it was the defeated pirate who had found an opportunity for redemption. He had chosen to intervene, taking justice into his own hands.

You rushed to Jeongwoo's side, your hands cradling his face gently as you tried to convey the depth of your emotions. The confusion in his eyes slowly gave way to clarity as the reality of the situation settled upon him.

"Jeongwoo..." you whispered, your voice trembling with a mixture of sadness and compassion.

He looked at you, his gaze filled with uncertainty and searching for answers. "Y/N... What happened to my dad?" he asked, his voice tinged with apprehension.

"Jeongwoo..." you began, your voice catching in your throat as tears welled up in your eyes. "I'm so sorry..."

Before you could finish your sentence, the assassin who had intervened earlier, stood before you, interrupting the somber moment. He addressed you respectfully, seeking confirmation of his suspicions.

"Milady," The boy spoke, his tone filled with reverence. "Was I right? Are you the girl who was kidnapped from Pueblo Esperanza?”

You nodded amidst your tears, acknowledging the truth. "Yes. It is true."

"My name is Haruto. I lived there as well. I think I recall seeing you when I was young. A white-haired girl like is not easy to forget.” He said, extending his hand towards you. "We should leave. Their crew is now aware of our presence, and they'll come searching due to the gunshots. I can guide us to safety."

Your gaze shifted briefly to Jihoon and Junghwan, who were bound and held captive by Haruto's crewmates. Then, your attention returned to Jeongwoo, his expression clouded with conflicting emotions.

"Jeongwoo, please, come with me." you pleaded, tears streaming down your face.

"Did you kill him?" He asked, his mind still confused because of the attack he suffered.

"I didn't kill your father. I never wanted any of this."

Jeongwoo's eyes narrowed as he processed your words, the weight of his own emotions evident. He uttered his thoughts slowly, his words heavy with regret and pain. "I should've killed you first."

The anguish in his voice pierced your heart, and you recoiled as if struck by his words. Desperate to reach him, to bridge the growing chasm between you, you moved your face closer to his, your voice filled with a mix of sorrow and determination.

Desperately, you pleaded with Jeongwoo, tears streaming down your face. "Please, listen to me… I can't do this without you…" you begged, your voice filled with anguish.

But Jeongwoo's response was a soft whisper, barely audible. "Don't touch me."

The weight of his words struck you like a blow, leaving you stunned and heartbroken. Slowly, you rose to your feet, your eyes devoid of any remaining hope or emotion. In that moment, you felt a profound emptiness settle within you.

You turned to Haruto and accepted his outstretched hand. "Don't kill them," you uttered, your voice barely a whisper, but filled with a resolute plea.

Haruto met your gaze, his expression unreadable. "As you wish," he replied, his tone tinged with a mix of understanding and restraint.

As you bid farewell, there was a bittersweet feeling in the air, knowing that your time together had come to an end. And thus, your journey took a different path from Jeongwoo. The circumstances had led you to part ways, each pursuing your own destiny.

After regaining his senses, Jeongwoo found himself confined to his father's bed on the ship. For two weeks, he secluded himself in that room, needing time to process the overwhelming events that had unfolded. Memories and emotions swirled within him as he struggled to come to terms with the loss of his father.

When he finally mustered the strength to step out of the room, the crew's solemn faces confirmed the grim truth—Blackbeard was no longer alive. The weight of grief settled heavily upon Jeongwoo's shoulders, a reminder of the void left by his father's absence.

In the midst of this somber moment, another revelation awaited Jeongwoo. The crew had chosen Jihoon as the new captain, recognizing his strength and leadership qualities. However, Jihoon surprised everyone by stepping down from the position. He declared that Jeongwoo had always been the true successor, even if his father had never explicitly acknowledged it.

Jeongwoo's heart swelled with a mix of emotions — grief for his father's passing, astonishment at Jihoon's unwavering support, and a newfound sense of responsibility. The weight of his heritage and the expectations of the crew now rested upon his shoulders.

For his first order as the new captain, Jeongwoo didn't request weapons or treasure. Instead, he had a different goal in mind. He gathered the crew together and instructed them to bring forth all the maps they had in their possession. It was time to embark on a quest to uncover a specific place, a place of significance.

As the crew members spread out their maps on the deck, Jeongwoo's eyes scanned the collection. He studied each map carefully, searching for a particular name that held deep meaning to him.

"I found it..." Jeongwoo spoke the words aloud, his voice filled with a mix of anticipation and determination. With a steady hand, he traced the outline of a small island on his own map, marking its location.

Pueblo Esperanza, the village you were born in.

You awoke in a cozy bed, the gentle breeze and melodious chirping of birds filling the air around you. As you rose from the bed, the cool touch of the concrete floor greeted your bare feet.

Casting a glance at the mirror, you took in your appearance. Your hair had grown, cascading down to your shoulders, and you wore a comfortable nightgown. With a sense of purpose, you reached into your bag and selected a simple dress, swiftly changing into it. Slipping on a pair of shoes, you completed your morning preparations.

Exiting the room, you made your way to the living room of the house. There, seated at the table, was a woman dressed in a religious outfit. As she patiently waited, a warm smile graced your lips.

"Good morning," you greeted her, your voice filled with genuine kindness.

"Oh, good morning, dear," she responded kindly. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yes," you replied. "I'm still adjusting to being on land instead of the ocean, though."

"Well, you better not get too used to it if you plan on returning," she responded, a hint of amusement in her voice. "Haruto seems quite eager to come back to the sea."

You contemplated her words for a moment before expressing your thoughts. "Well, he only came here to visit, but... I still haven't decided if I want to continue my life as a pirate."

The woman nodded with a sense of understanding. "That's perfectly alright, my dear. You are welcome to stay here at the church for as long as you need."

"I appreciate that," you replied, a sense of gratitude in your voice. "I have a feeling that Pueblo Esperanza has many things in store for me."

author's note 2: i'm so sorry about the sad ending T-T... please don't be mad a me haha. i'm thinking about writing a part 2, but i'm still not sure... anyway, i'm sorry again!

[fandomchokehold]

ok I finally made Samson's card for @bareee @tav-dex !!!!!

These are his starting lvl 1 cantrips and spells

Class Action - Bardic Inspiration

Race Cantrip - Chill Touch

Bard Cantrips - Vicious Mockery & Blade Ward

Spells - Cure Wounds, Healing Word, Speak with Animals, & Dissonant Whispers

with each level up the cantrips, spells, and abilities he gains fall under healing and necromancy

Screenshots and summarized backstory & fun facts below the cut!

and some cute screenshots from his and Gale's weave date 🥰

Short Backstory:

Samson was born in Elmwood, south of the Moonsea, to a sun elf woman named Thalia and human man named Lonán. His father was a nature domain cleric of Lathander and his mother was a light domain cleric of Kelemvor, but by the time they settled and had Sam they were just simple village bakers. When Samson was 7 his father succumbed to his lifelong battle with a chronic illness (in modern terms it would be autoimmune vasculitis), and after 4 years of grieving him, Sam's mother decided to follow Lonán into the afterlife.

After his mother's death he was sent to Calimport to live under the care of his maternal Uncle and his wife; they weren't horribly abusive, never raising a hand at him, but they did not approve of his desire to study medicine and necromancy and instead tried to force him into the family business of heavily corrupt politics. Sam obviously was not thrilled with this life prospect and decided, after a year of living with them, to make a mad dash for Waterdeep.

At age 12 he stowed away on a ship in the harbor and was allowed to sail with them for 3 years, departing in the City of Splendors at 15 after making lifelong friends of the crew and gaining the necessary skills that enabled him to survive alone on the streets in Waterdeep. After being a transient for half a year he met Odette, the cranky duergar monk who let him crash on her couch as payment for healing up her infected amputated leg. It was always supposed to be a temporary living situation but, whether she wanted to admit it or not, the kid lit up her dreary life like nothing else and she basically just kept him as the younger brother she never had.

It was just the two of them for 15 years since meeting until one night when Samson happened upon a roughed up noble in the alley outside his and Odette's flat. Wren, a human sorcerer who couldn't have been older than 21, was more than happy to let Samson heal them and assured the half-elf and duergar that they would be paid handsomely if they allowed the noble to stay with them for just a week as there were some "unsavory types" looking for them... unsavory types who happened to bear their family's crest. Sam and Odette did not bother questioning it.

So a week came and went, then another, and another, and Wren just never really left. Samson was thrilled to have made a friend and roommate while Odette was just happy to have extra help with the expenses. They were an unwavering, unbreakable dynamic trio for five more years until they got snatched up in the street by the Nautiloid.

*so basically in my head Samson, Odette, and Wren were all out in Waterdeep when the Mindflayers attacked and all got snatched up at the same time, escaped together with Shadowheart & Lae'zel, and are running around the world as the wavering falling-apart-at-the-seams dynamic trio

**sorry if the inclusion of Wren and Odette in this was confusing it's just cuz they play an important role in Samson's life and I would be posting about them a lot like with Sam but I just haven't played as them or my dark urge Lior yet cuz I'm still rocking with my slow af first playthrough

***if anyone cares cuz they all exist together during the events of the game Samson is romancing Gale, Odette romances Karlach, Wren romances Halsin, and Lior the dark urge is aroace in game but in my mind him and Gortash get to have a Good Omens season 2 Gabriel and Beelzebub style romance ending where they just kinda fuck off to the Caribbean post Netherbrain

Fun Facts About Samson Silversten!

he's a really good baker but can't cook for shit

he's ambidextrous

his dad Lonán was Irish so Sam has an Irish accent; he sounds like Hozier both speaking and singing (lemme live in delulu land okay???)

he knows four languages: Common, Elvish, Gaelic, and Common Sign Language

can usually be found engrossed in a necromantic tome or copying medical illustrations into his personal journal

he's autistic (me when I project onto my OCs) in a resting bitch face, deadpan, lackluster reactions unless it's something he's really passionate about way

can get frustrated with tasks easily and go temporarily non-verbal; he never lockpicks, it's gotten to the point if they happen upon something locked Astarion will just rifle through Samson's bag and take his thieves tools without asking to avoid him getting upset

he's tall and thin and gangly as hell (think Julian Devorak physique)

he has heterochromia, his right eye (your left) is brown while his left eye (your right) is a golden hazel

he's demisexual homoromantic (i.e. can only feel sexually attracted to people he knows well and is romantically attracted to, only feels romantic attraction for men)

he loves going for early morning swims and can hold his breath for a concerning amount of time

the skills he picked up on The Daybreaker (the ship he stowed away on) were knot tying, star navigation, fishing, sailing, and basic sword fighting

he has several nicknames; everyone calls him Samson or Sam, Wren calls him Freckles (affectionately, they love him so much), when they're married Gale calls him Sunlight or Sunshine, Captain Aamiina of The Daybreaker calls him her guri dambeys, but the only person alive allowed to call him Sammy is Odette

he's not as hairy as Gale but he has body hair on his arms, legs, chest, and happy trail

he's absolutely covered in freckles, the ones in areas often exposed to the sun darker than the rest; has 100% said something cheesy along the lines of "you shouldn't kiss me, I don't need more freckles" to imply the person he's saying it to is an angel

wow that sure was a lot I am so sorry have these screenshots of Samson looking directly into the camera like he's on The Office as a departing gift!

[sidewalkchemistry]

@mosskiss said: I’m thinking about studying herbal medicine do you have any accessible books you recommend?

Ah sure. Herbalism is both a science and an art. No two herbalists practice in just the same way because the thinking processes & healing philosophies differ from person to person. So, I can recommend a few beginner-friendly books (though some are dense) which I personally found very useful in my own journey.

(Normally, I am primarily a book learner. But, as guided by my herbal coursework, I was encouraged to also learn about the herbs through direct experience and studying a variety of traditions & other herbalists. Herbalism is not properly studied when you just experience it on paper, I realized. So, I would recommend a similar thing for beginners: learn botany, plant identification, forgaging, gardening, medicine making, safety precautions, how to research herbs properly, and different traditional medicine systems [such as Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Unani-Tibb, Caribbean Bush Medicine, Western Herbalism, etc. It's especially best to understand how a certain herb was used on the land which it's native to]. Podcasts and articles can be good resources too. Most of all, deeply testing and experiencing herbs one-by-one is crucial in my view).

Here's my list:

Common Herbs for Natural Health by Juliette de Baïrcli Levy

Rosemary Gladstar's Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner's Guide

Making Plant Medicine by Richie Cech

The Herbal Medicine Maker's Handbook: A Home Manual by James Green

The Secret Teachings of Plants: The Intelligence in the Direct Perception of Nature by Stephen Harrod Buhner

Renegade Beauty by Nadine Artemis

Medicinal Herbalism by David Hoffman

Natural Therapy for Your Liver by Christopher Hobbs

Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief by David Winston & Steven Maimes

Herbal Healing for Women by Rosemary Gladstar

The Practice of Traditional Western Herbalism by Matthew Wood

Evolutionary Herbalism by Sajah Popham

The Earthwise Herbal Repertory: The Definitive Practitioner's Guide by Matthew Wood

The Mucusless Diet Healing System by Professor Arnold Ehret (Annotated, Revised, and Edited by Prof. Spira)

Heal Thyself for Health and Longevity by Queen Afua

The Detox Miracle Sourcebook by Dr. Robert Morse

Botany Illustrated: Introduction to Plants, Major Groups, Flowering Plant Families by Janice Glimn-Lacy and Peter B. Kaufman

You won't regret gaining knowledge about the plants 🌼🌱✨ I do wish you great things

[rabbitcruiser]

National Hot Heads Chili Day

Chili lovers celebrate National Hot Heads Chili Day on January 17 every year. On this day, chili heads, heat-seekers, and extreme eaters try out the spiciest chilis. National Hot Heads Chili Day is celebrated with habanero-eating challenges, fancy-dress contests, and cook-offs of popular recipes. Chilis are also made to take the official Scoville heat scale. This doesn’t mean that you have to be a daredevil to celebrate the day — anyone who likes their meal a little hot can celebrate the day! Spices and chilis add a distinct flavor to the dish. Thai, Indian, Creole and Caribbean dishes are famous for their heat content and boast of some excellent gastronomic experiences!

History of National Hot Heads Chili Day

We don’t quite know how National Hot Heads Chili Day came to be but it’s safe to say that one fine day all the chili lovers got together and decided to celebrate hot and spicy food. This makes sense given how humans have always had a knack for chilis in their food — the first recipes for spicy foods go back to 6,000 years! This means that humans have been enjoying spicy food for quite some time. While the foods that we enjoy today may have changed and recipes altered, we still love spicy food. Unlike other animals, humans prefer spicy food simply because it tastes so incredible and on a plus side, spices also offer several health benefits.

Spices such as turmeric and cumin that have powerful antimicrobial and antioxidant properties can kill bacteria outright. Studies show that the capsaicin in hot peppers can reduce inflammation and decrease the chances of heart disease. It can also aid in weight loss. In Ayurvedic medicine, the inflammatory properties of chilis have brought relief from many different conditions, such as headaches, autoimmune disorders, and arthritis. Spicy foods can also help fasten your metabolism. Studies also show that certain spices, like pepper chilies, turmeric, cinnamon, and cumin can curb your appetite and improve your metabolic resting rate. Who knew chilis could be so versatile!

National Hot Heads Chili Day timeline

3500 B.C.

Chilis Are Cultivated

Chilis are grown and cultivated for the first time.

1498

Chilis Arrive In India

Vasco-da-Gama reaches Indian shores and introduces India to chilis.

1912

Scoville Organoleptic Test

Wilbur L. Scoville finds a new method to measure the pungency of chilis.

1975

Chili’s

Larry Lavine opens the first Chili's in Dallas.

National Hot Heads Chili Day FAQs

Are chillies native to India?

After the Portuguese arrival in India, chilies were first introduced to Goa, from where they spread to South India. Today, India is the largest producer of red dried chili in the world.

Which chili is the spiciest?

A Guinness Book record holder, Bhut Jolokia is certified as the hottest chili in the world. It is also known as ‘ghost pepper’ and is cultivated in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland, and Manipur.

Which chili is the healthiest?

Green chilies have high water content and zero calories which makes them a healthy choice for those who are trying to shed some pounds.

National Hot Heads Chili Day Activities

Host a dinner party: Chilis are regularly used in Indian, Chinese, and Thai cooking. Host a dinner party and serve these cuisines to friends and family.

Learn about different chilis from around the world: On National Hot Heads Chili Day, learn more about the different chilies that are available around the world. There are so many different types, including Carolina Reapers, Ghost Peppers, Habanero, Red Cayenne Pepper, Serrano, Guajillo, Poblano, Peppadew, and much more.

Organize a cook-off: Invite your friends over and see who can create the best hot and spicy dish. Flavor your dishes with different types of chilis and find out which one is the hottest.

5 Facts About Chilis That Will Blow Your Mind

Chilis can make you happy: They help release feel-good endorphins and dopamine, which results in a sense of euphoria.

The Japanese had an innovative use: Instead of eating them, the Japanese put them in their socks to keep their toes warm.

They are rich in nutrients: They contain large amounts of vitamin C, provitamin A, and beta-carotene.

Only mammals are sensitive to chilis: Capsaicin may burn and irritate the flesh of mammals but birds are completely immune to its effects

They can be used as first aid: Cayenne pepper can help stop bleeding.

Why We Love National Hot Heads Chili Day

A day to enjoy your favorite foods: Most of us love spicy foods but it’s not possible to savor them every day. National Hot Heads Chili Day offers the perfect opportunity to indulge in your favorite spicy food.

Try a new cuisine: If you don't have an adventurous palate, today is the best day to rectify that. Sample spicy foods from India, Thailand, the Philippines, and the Caribbean.

A day to be adventurous: If you are an adventurous foodie, then National Hot Heads Chili Day invites you to taste some of the hottest and steamiest chilies from the world over. Go on a gastronomic adventure today!

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[caribbean-medical-schools]

Top Medical Schools in the Bahamas: Your Path to a Medical Career

Discover the leading medical schools in the Bahamas that offer outstanding educational opportunities for future healthcare professionals. These institutions provide high-quality medical training, integrating advanced clinical practice with comprehensive academic coursework. With state-of-the-art facilities and a focus on global health issues, students receive the knowledge and experience necessary to excel in the medical field. Explore how studying medicine in the Bahamas can offer a unique, enriching educational experience and set you on the path to a successful career in healthcare.

[dancerfelix]

Thoughts on the 'scientific theory ' things in general, as a physicist:

1. It is important to be skeptical of science as a thing to be aimed for. Science is not objective, it is generally a pretty specific set of methodologies viewed as correct within 'western' thought (not that others don't follow some objective practices of learning about the world, or even use western science, but that the canonized Science delegitimizes non western practices). Sometimes it feels like social sciences and humanities fields try to emulate science not because these methods are actually useful, but because stem is taken more seriously. I think this tends to be quite bad. It feels like an admission that actually things that cannot be directly quantified within Science are less important, which I think is pretty awful actually. Philosophy and art are still lovely and important even if they cannot be 'objective'.

2. Ignoring the flaws with science- it's really hard to fulfil the requirements for useful experimentation when it comes to people, and especially on the massive scale of Society™. We can't really run 10 Cuban revolutions with controlled variables and independent variables to figure out if we could have had the same revolution with black or indigenous or female or black+ female Castro equivalent or something. We can't know if him being a more explicit communist at the time of the revolution would have changed anything. We can't even definitely prove that the revolution wouldn't have been more successful if he had been a vocal capitalist instead. We can sometimes run trial runs of policy, ie Finland's UBI experiment. But we really cannot meaningfully test or experiment within the context of broader social theory.

3. Obviously we can make evidenced claims and extrapolations with the 'data' available to us. I'm not going to deny that, going back to Cuba, Cuba is better off than most other Caribbean nations, and we could make a solid case for communism contributing to that. But there's a lot of guessing involved in ways that are a bit incompatible with Science™. Part of why I think social sciences are softer sciences is because they do rely on a lot more personal interpretation and parsing through situations with a lot of entirely uncontrollable variables to try to eke out a coherent argument. The data is limited (can't exactly redo the cuban revolution at will to see if x changes y), the information on the data is limited (biased sources, can't repeat things to make sure x is better documented, much harder to have things translated, lost languages, different perspectives highlighted). These are actually challenges that physics gives very few solutions to, and I would go truly insane trying to learn anything about the world in those conditions. Social sciences have a lot of tools to deal with this (still bad at not projecting global northern bullshit onto global south but still), and while there are 'hard science' things I don't know (couldn't tell you what chemists are up to lol), the fundamental structures for processing and obtaining data remain pretty consistent across stem but not so in say, anthropology, or economic studies. Maybe theoretical math and theoretical physics are a little closer, they spend more time guessing, but even then, it's a lot easier for them to isolate things.

4. I do think you can do meaningful analysis of social systems and make theories from that. Materialism is useful even if it's not "science". If you are taking information about observable reality, discussing it in a grounded way, you can spit out analysis and projections that are useful. I don't think so called soft sciences / theory / whatever term you use for 'trying to understand Society™" is just wand waving magic or just people spouting bullshit (that'd be psychology). I also think a lot of so called science, especially when it comes to stuff with people, suffers the experimentation issue to some extent + medicine especially is built on shoddy foundations.

5. Some of this is just going to depend on how one defines science. I define science vaguely with the "experimentation and analysis" definition. This is why I struggle to say a field that mostly cannot experiment is probably not "science". But if we want to change how we define science, or move towards towards something that better includes 'non academic' knowledges, or even abolish the current scientific systems and replace them with something free of the historical baggage of Science™ with more broadly inclusive understandings of knowledge acquisition, that would be cool.

Political theory is actually not comparable to math or physics

It is, actually - the unscientific approach to human society and history taken by bourgeois academia is necessitated by any real extension of scientific analysis to the field of human society revealing fairly plainly the basis of bourgeois society on the exploitation of the proletariat; the further notion that human society and history are simply inexplicable by science, driven instead by great men and driving ideas, is the ideological justification within liberal enlightenment philosophy for this unscientific approach. What makes human society above the purview of science - the Soul?

[a-basil-fletcher-things]

The Fletcher-Manaker Project Doctors For The Poor Series

Introduction

This new Fletcher-Manaker Project Doctors For The Poor Series drive is aimed at attaining two objectives, namely (1) to earn monies for the granting of scholarships for qualified but needy students from several countries to study medicine and or nursing and (2) to make contribution to the World Health Organization as an "effective Invitation" for it to host two hands on workshops, one on using bacteriophages in clinical settings for combating multi-drug resistant bacterial infections and the other on the usage of pan available spices/herbs as adjuncts/herbs along with standard antibiotics to combat in clinical settings multi- drug resistant bacterial infections. Microbiologists and pharmacists from several major public hospitals in the Latin America and the Caribbean Region, from the largest public hospitals in four states in the United States along with representatives from several African countries are targeted for attendance. (Previous drive:-https://www.tumblr.com/a-basil-fletcher-things)

This document is divided into two sections. Section 1 addresses the now usual Fletcher-Manaker Project drive to provide funding for scholarships to study medicine or nursing and Section 2 covers the drive to earn funds to give to the World Health Organization as a contribution for carrying out of the two aforementioned workshops.

Doctors & Nurses For The Poor Series For Digital Textile & Digital Surface Designers- Revenues earned from the commercial use of these images will be used for the provision of medical and nursing school scholarships to male and female students of children of textile workers and cart pushers in India, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Mali, market vendors , sons and the daughters of fishermen in Sierra Leone and to students recommended by Doctors Without Borders in Nigeria and Tchad (African & Asians students will study in India), children of fishermen in Bluefields (Nicaragua), suitably qualified students from Haiti-students recommended by Doctors Without Borders and the Caribbean Coast of Colombia , in addition to two nursing scholarships to females of Mayan descent from Guatemala ( Guatemalan , Colombian, Haitian and Nicaraguan students will study in Cuba), to provide nursing school scholarships for female students of Newlands and Wallen Avenue in Portmore, Jamaica ( Excelsior Community College Scholarships via the five churches serving these communities) and to two (2) MMBS and three nursing scholarships to students of Kingston High School on Kings Street, Kingston to study in Cuba (In keeping with the Ellen Manaker’s Program presented below) and university/ college scholarships to the children of the lower middle class and working poor in Boston. USA. . Fifteen percent of earnings will be retained by the Fletcher-Manaker Project. Permission for use please of photos contact The President Brandeis University at- president@brandeis.edu

The Kingston High School Problem

Kingston High School ( formerly Kingston Secondary School and before that Kingston Senior School) is located at the northern end of Kings Street, in Kingston. It is located about 300 meters South-West of the main offices of The Ministry of Education and about 50 meters South of The National Heroes Park. In spite of its “desirable location” it remains at the bottom of the ranks of high schools in the Kingston & St. Andrew Metropolitan area with few passes in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) . The truth be told, is that for much of its recent past the school functioned in the main as a “safe place” and “day care center” for children from the violence prone communities from which the bulk of its students come from.

The problem is further compounded by the fact that, unlike the high performing traditional high schools, the Kingston High School is not owned by the Church but rather by the Government of Jamaica, which means that the school does not get the high level of supervision, guidance and material support as do the traditional high schools which are owned by the Church.

Within this context, it would appear that the administrators of the KingstonHigh School have been facing challenges finding suitably qualified students to take up The Fletcher-Manaker Project Scholarships for students to study medicine and or nursing in Cuba.It is in this light The Ellen Manaker Program is being proposed. If the Kingston High School is able to produce students who are capable of taking up scholarships to study medicine, it will be able also to produce students capable of taking up scholarships for the study of engineering and other similar scholarships provided by other organizations and educational institutions.

The Ellen Manaker Program

The Kingston High School must submit all relevant information of the candidates they are putting forward for the medical scholarships to Cuba, at least two weeks before the opening of the scholarships, to the Office Of The President of The Brandeis University. No funding shall be provided if

the requirement of documentary submission is not met. Monies held back will be set aside for future scholarships to the school.

It is being proposed that US$1,000.00 be set aside to top up the salary of the teachers who is able to have at least 100 students passing mathematics at the CSEC level , with more money being paid out for grade 1 passes and less for grades 2 and 3 passes. This means that the teacher has have an examination pass rate of 100% to get the full US$1,000.00 . The same would apply to the teachers of English, Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

US$ 5,000.00 will be dedicated to the above. A similar system of incentives will be put in place for the teachers of the Carbbean Advance Proficiency Examinations Units 1 and 2 in Physics, Chemistry and Biology.

This program is budgeted to cost US$12,000.00 per year with the Principal and Vice-Principal getting US$2,000.00 each on the delivery of the required 500 CSEC passes and at least ten of the required CAPE passes in the first two years . Money to be put aside for a ten year drive starting 2025 after which it will be up to the graduates of the Kingston High School to continue the program. Given that the Kingston High School is about 100 meters east of the Jewish Cemetry, the local synagogue can be approached to distribute the monies on obtaining copies of the examination results.

Signed

Basil Fletcher,

C.C. alumni of Czech and Slovak universities living in Latin America and Africa, to Fatima Espinoza of Bluefields, Nicaragua, Delicia Bailey of Guyana and Della Fletcher from St. Georges, Grenada W.I.

Section 2

The Fletcher- Manaker Project is also seeking to make an " Effective Invitation" to The World Health Organization to host two "hands on hand" workshops addressing (1) the

collection, identification and use of bacteriophage in combating multi-drug resistant bacterial infections and (2) the use of common pan-available spices and herbs as adjuncts /enablers to standard antibiotics in combating multi-drug resistant bacterial infections; by donating at- least 25% of all incomes generated from the commercial use of the images provided by The Fletcher-Manaker Project..

Microbiologists and pharmacists from the major public hospitals in Kingston, Jamaica W.I., St. Georges , Grenada W.I., Bluefields, Nicaragua, Port Au Prince, Haiti, Georgetown, Guyana, Port Of Spain, Trinidad, Havana, Cuba, Bogota and Medellin in Colombia, San Jose, Costa Rica, from the largest public hospitals in the states of Florida, New York, Georgia and California in the United States. Representatives from Mali, Ghana, Nigeria, Ethiopia and Kenya would also be invited..

It is hoped that these two workshops will provided the participants with the required knowledge,and skills to use in practice bacteriophage and herbal/spice interventions to combat multi-drug bacterial infections, and will get certificates of participation at the end of the workshops.

The Fletcher-Manaker Project will also be inviting major industrial players in the production and or sales of lab equipment and the major processors and distributors of spices to contribute through the Office of The President of The Brandeis University (USA) to the World Health Organization to give financial support to the World Health Organization to fund these two workshops.

End

Signed:-

Basil Fletcher,

Lot 276-7 East,

Greater Portmore, St. Catherine, Jamaica W.I.

For The Fletcher-Manaker Project

C.C. alumni of Czech and Slovak universities living in Latin America and Africa, to Fatima Espinoza of Bluefields, Nicaragua, Delicia Bailey of Guyana and Della Fletcher from St. Georges, Grenada W.