#Zulo

[st-osmanthus]

I can’t write ZoLu fics fast enough so I’m gonna start ranting about them here. But ultimately my dream is to see them overtake the Zosan nonsense on Ao3 bc what do you mean Zoro would ever even look at anyone twice when his CAPTAIN is right THERE?!

Anyway, I’m doing my part.

[medeaft]

Andrei's transformation (originally: Andrei átváltozása) 2024 Ink on paper

Day 26 of my Bloodlines-related Inktober pictures; here are the rest of them.

I have been looking forward to drawing this one for a while, ever since I scheduled to myself what part of the game to do for what day. I can hardly believe I have never drawn his warform yet, but at last I have had occasion to. I know these are meant to be depicted as my character experiences the events of Bloodlines, and in this case it's not in the picture at all, but that's on purpose; it's just... intensely observing Andrei, and this is what it sees.

How my character must have felt is hard to even describe. Not so long ago, it encountered this horrible, wonderful monster called Andrei, he was admirable, aspirational, and so surprisingly willing to have a pleasant discussion about art and philosophy; yet, against all of its wishes, once all was said and done, it had to fight him. It didn't relish the thought that it (as far as it knew) destroyed someone so glorious, someone it genuinely liked right away and thought it might have become friends with under better circumstances; but there was no use regretting it, it already happened. So imagine its surprise when who does it see with its very own eyes but Andrei himself, looking no worse for wear, and he even has yet another fascinating shape; and imagine its sorrow that once again it's here with instructions to fight him… As curious as it is of what's actually inside, it is by now confident in believing that he's right, the sarcophagus should not be opened; it has no desire to follow LaCroix's instructions: even if it had had any previously (which it never did), after all the deceit and betrayal there would be none left by now; and it has so many questions… It just wants to talk to him!

[malicious-metal]

Couple of WIPs I really should be finishing some time (place your bets if that'll ever happen) but wanted to share anyways, so! Featuring: Genesis (He/They) - Absolute horrid trashfire Freak of mine and his toxic little situationship, his childe Eden (She/They) who belongs to my fiancé @doomface ! Both donning their Horrid Zulo Shapes! Hector (He/Him) - One of our Chronicle's big bads, Lasombra Bishop showcasing his Armoury of the Abyss powers! Yes, the tiddy window armour is essential! Darcy Fink (She/He/They/Any) - My dumpsterfire Revenant-turned-Ravnos, a real mess with a whole bunch of baggage she's hauling around.

[whalehouse1]

So thankfully, I avoid most ships on this platform, but I’ve seen there’s apparently a lot of Zutara hate going on. So if you’re a Zutarian or new to the ship and just want to babble or fan out about it, my inbox and messages are welcome if you don’t have anyone to talk to. I’ve been in this ship since before the first Zutara week on Deviant Art happened. And if it’s to talk about Zutara I can guarantee at least 80% of us are fine with ppl just randomly screaming in joy about them randomly to us.

[lily-of-the-valleys-stuff]

I haven't seen an edit of zolu/luzo with the song of do i wanna know? by hozier. Pls, anyone kindly send me a video of it badly want my otp with this song ughhhh

[onepiecehiperfixation]

Zoro: Where you go I go. Always. Luffy: Zoro. This is too much. It's a death trap. Zoro: What you see I see. Luffy:I know I'd never be me, without the security of your loving harms keeping me from harm. Zoro *holding Luffy hand*: We'll stand. We will let the sky fall on them, capitain.

[necrosaltis]

Discussing business with Mr. Cherniak is never fun because he doesn't take 'no' very well..

[wizardofvamp]

Hi! Imma go for it.

21/46/47/48 For Ana and Mihal (I have a weakness for codependent Tzim child/sire duos, what can I say). 

And 14/26 for Eliza but about her being a ghoul. 

hELL YEAH BUDDY.

Apologies ahead of time this is gonna be a Lot Of Text because I ramble hard. I tried to keep it brief but... it is clearly impossible for me to keep things brief. Also spoilers for future Limits of an Invitation/Project Cadmus stuff-ahoy! Nothing earth-shattering, but if that's a concern I wanted to flag that right off the bat in case there's anyone who wants to go into the fic blind. But with all that being said, let's dive under the fold and chat some tzims and their very "fortunate" ghouls!

21 Mihal/Ana - Predator Type This has changed/evolved for both of them over time based on what was available. Words from ST Roan on Mihal: “Word of god says predator type is a game term that is great for creating newer vamps but not narratively necessary or universally applicable to elder npcs… That said, since coming to America Mihal’s go to types are Osiris and Siren. Especially Osiris in Hollywood era. Before was often, but not always Montero, when utilizing ghouls since that’s common for old school tzims.” Valeriy would've been Mihal's main guy for netting dinner-- he's been doing it his entire life as a Grimaldi, he (was) a turbo-pro, 10/10 would doordash again. The NY->Hollywood scene was a constant churn of cult creation/destruction around whatever vanity project the two were making/beefing over at the given moment. Now in Fairhaven, he's a lot more lowkey so def more of a Siren than Osiris these days. Ana is a Blood Leech through and through. While he can settle for human blood, it has never slaked him unless it's a Rev or another kindred. His early days he remained bound to Mihal and supplemented his diet by tapping the schlacta/ghouls on the estate, as well as whatever poor sucker he could rip into traveling through their domain.

When Helena arrived and the pack was formed/as it grew, Ana would cleave more and more from his packmates. Also, obviously, if there was a Cammie lick that needed dusting he always had first dibs.

Now that he has been separated from the pack and Hermia is def not as down to be tapped on a whim as Mihal... Ana may have had to cut some deals with the Fairhaven branch of the Circulatory System to keep his meal plan buttoned-up and to his standards.

46 - Mihal/Ana, What are their Ambitions? 47 - Mihal/Ana, What are their Desires? Popping these two together bc they go hand in hand. Mihal and Ana were both 'freed' from their sires/sabbat expectations in the space of a couple of months. So weirdly, they're at almost identical turning points. Always mirrors, these two! Mihal: FIRSTLIGHT knocked down their doors and dusted their Ductus, as well as gave him a window to torpor their Bishop/his sire Vratislav. For the first time in centuries, he's beholden to no one. 900 years in counting and he's finally earned this 'moment' and he isn't going spend it rashly. Right now he has what remains of the pack, a precarious position hugging the Tower, and an prodigal childe who isn't coming home as quickly as he would like.

He desires stability, but as method of securing his own agency and control. He never wants to be subject to another's whims again after being bound to Vrat--to the point of faking partaking in the vaulderie unbeknownst to the rest of his pack. His ambition is securing a legacy that can stand shoulder-to-shoulder if not entirely surpass the true Elders of his bloodline. Which is a tall order when your Grandsire is Vykos, but Mihal isn't known for his humility. So, why not get his childe that city he always dreamed of? Ana: Mihal saw fit to 'cut him off' for a few reasons. First is political-- the FIRSTLIGHT operation left every kindred faction in Fairhaven scrambling. True-Cam heads pissed that the Cam is now mostly made up by ex-sabbat opportunists/anarch dregs. Anarch heads pissed that their leaders sold them out to the Cam when they were so close to taking it down. The two Sabbat packs that rolled over and renounced the Sword of Caine for protection are regarded to only slightly better than the few thinbloods that managed to make themselves useful enough not to get purged-it's a shit time for everyone in Fairhaven rn. Ana was the only one in the pack that Mihal trusted could make it out the other side of a bond while still being in his pocket. Cynically assumes if the remorse doesn't pull him back, the addiction will. Simultaneously, this is also to continue their escalating game of spite. Shortly before the raid, the two had a more-major-than-usual falling out over Mihal's treatment of Roman-- yeah surprise Roman is still alive and kicking as Ana's husbandish ghoul to this day. Yes it's a full can of worms but long story short Ana sticking up for Roman/at times putting Roman *above* Mihal has been the Issue Of The Past Century. Playing second fiddle to a Chisel? Kindly fuck off with that, Darling. Ana shares Mihal's desire for stability, but inverted. Bonds, Pleasure, Love, All Which Keeps The Beast At Bay-- its rooting the self deep into those you serve and who serve you. It's dedication, it's till death do you fucking part. Part of woodworking as a vampire is accepting that you are incredibly vulnerable to the thing you are shaping, that it could destroy you in a blink. He carries that attitude into not just his fleshcrafting but his day-to-day. Sure giving himself over, allowing that vulnerability, is a kind of oblivion, but it's an oblivion he can navigate, that he knows intimately and can maybe even thrive in/manipulate to his own ends.

His ambition? He'd love to know, he's taking suggestions. In the past he'd say cutting his own skyline-- something that he had begun to do when they first migrated to Fairhaven. Two downtown residential towers were drafted by his hand, but he's nowhere near amassing the resources to get another project off the ground in the current political climate. So he's taken in some goddamn pupils to keep the drafting hand limber. Maybe that'll be something. 48 - Something that I spent a lot of time on! Damn! Well, easy answer is the fic. But I think if I wanted to dig in, it'd be the bloodline/character arc timeline that I made that starts with the eldest and ends with Eliza. I spent a weekend reading clanbooks/supplements across editions as well as marinating in the vtm wiki to nail down what themes/trends I liked and wanted to play with as well as general history skimming because I, Mr. Podunk Midwestern Man, got most of my education about 1800's Russia from Chekov plays. Then I just went hog wild on a google doc and peppered my ST with too many questions so I could build out some of my own loresheets. Now I can not only tell you what Ana and Eliza were up to at any given point but also what their parents and grandparents were generally up to. Generational Narratives! I like em! I like the big sprawling tangled up casts even if the majority of them only exist offscreen/in the lore notes.

A fun fact which arose from this: Ana has a cousin who is his age, still breathing, leading an Obertus research initiative on the East Coast. She's wheeling and dealing with multiple Farm teams, funding Renditions in exchange of getting first dibs on any ghouls or suspected tzim that get bagged.

14 - Eliza, How did they initially feel after being ghould? Did they like being reborn into something new or did it take them a while to cope with their new reality? Eliza's first reaction was to compartmentalize the shit out of the situation and move on. It took a day or two for it to start to fully sink in, but overall she adapted well at first. This is mostly thanks to Ana taking a more hands-off approach, so outside of the basics (the blood bond situation and the masquerade of the living dead situation) what she learned and when was in her hands. It's a luxury of having a robust collection of kindred writing a keycard away at the University. Though the first time seeing Ana's 'Garden' definitely had a negative impact on her, throwing the whole arrangement back into question. Especially after learning that the 'Poppy' was Ana's last protégé, as well as the source of her current arm-- it launches her into an existential spiral.

Thankfully Roman turns out to be solid support, he steps into paternal role and helps guide her through it. He tells her that he's spent his time in the garden, that it was terrible and unforgivable, and yet he's sitting here with her today. The situation isn't ideal but it isn't unsalvageable, is his belief. He's seen the full scope of degeneration and growth, and he's convinced that the scales are tipped toward growth. Eliza isn't but also understands that, right now, this is what she has to work with. 26 - Eliza, Do they want to become human again or are they fine as a ghoul?

Eliza goes back and forth. In her darker moments she sometimes wishes Ana hadn't saved her. It's easy to see her life as an unnatural extension when her ghouling was that traumatic, and she is aware that she's complicit to some nasty shit. At the same time, the more she works with Ana and Roman the more desensitized she becomes.

Another major factor is her mother, Alana. She leads a Farm team in eastern Iowa, seasoned to the point where most FIRSTLIGHT hawks know of/have worked with her in the past.

Needless to say Alana Locks In the second she discovers Eliza's been ghoul'd. Full blown Rendition/Conversion team. It's ugly, and almost identical to the Garden/Circulatory System operations she was pissed at Ana about.

She gets out the other side with the general notion of "Its Complicated And I Don't Fucking Know, Dude." But she isn't one to romanticize humanity, not anymore. ... Whew. I think I need a nap.

Thank you @hlozt for the ask! As you can see I was chomping at the bit to ramble about these terrible lads. Hopefully it made some amount of sense!!

To everyone else-- if you made it this far/read all that, damn! Thanks! Have a draft Ana Zulo drawn by Roan for your efforts!

[amamfengutv]

Talk to me naace EP Review, Zulo (2022)

By Banzii Mavuso

Track 1. Let’s talk seems like Zulo’s long-awaited announcement of his hero’s journey with delicious vocals sampling a house classic.

A bold announcement of his arrival.

I read a review on Slikour Online by Lesiba that goes: “If you take a look at ZULO cover art you will notice a common character and his name is Tricky, the bunny. In the same way Kanye West used the Dropout Bear, Tricky the bunny is a personification of ZULO and his journey in the South African music industry. Tricky, the bunny is pictured being teleported by a beam of light, a nod to his love of sci-fi. This symbolises ZULO's ascension into the next phase of his career. It's important to note that Tricky isn't resisting the beam of light. In ZULO's words, "the bear is floating because I'm on autopilot."

He is letting everything be. No longer is the old, frustrated figure of Lil Trix. All that is meant for him will come to him. Tricky, the bunny is at the center of a storm, which is purposeful.

Leading up to this EP, ZULO had gone through various tests in his personal life, but he acknowledges that ZULO was born out of the chaos. Tricky being at the center of the storm symbolizes that rebirth.

For me, I discovered Zulo on Instagram about a year ago and gave him a chance. Sonically, Talk to me naace, is one of the best pieces of work I have heard in 2022 and in 2024.

Track 2. Supreme is a deeper dive into his Zuloverse. Supreme, Supreme. Supreme. Sonically it reminds me of a cyborg movie in audio form.

Track 3. Portals is one of my favorite tracks. Why you catching feelings? Colored boy from the burbs. As a producer and vibes bringer, we see him announcing ‘You in the fucking saga.’ We know he doesn’t publicly announce his love for AKA But as SupaMega fans, we are aware of the Saga as his collaboration with Anatii.

As a Virgo, Zulo delights in keeping things in perspective and also vocalizes his love for the Wayans Brothers. The chants in the song make it deeply relevant to South African youth culture. Showcasing the diversity of his country by featuring a variety of artists.

Track 4. JUST VAARBS. Is a flossing, easy chilling, I really do this easy-type song. Okay, Okay, Okay. This is everything you ever wanted. Hocus Potent, the strain is potent. This is my moment. Listing one of his favorite directors Wes Anderston. You talk too much; you tweet too much. I caught my sub. Never meant to cause you any pain. She said, you wanna smell my punani?” Janet Jackson. I should have left you to be happy. Reminiscing of old love and taking accountability as a man. The beat switches a bit to a Kendrick-eque vibe with a Virgo-Michael Jackson salute.

Track 5. Love your life. A potently sweet message wrapped in Eldo, Jozi vibes, chilling with his favorite Jozi artists like Dox. Rsa.

"Relax, take it easy, I know you can’t. Skyf bietjie daarso, Keep feeding my soul. Better part of me that I’ve suppressed. Lost a lotta opportunities in my defense."

"They say your attitude in life defines success."

Name drops Leon Schuster. An Afrikaner older man, a staple in South African comedy industry. Trust the process is the message. Dox RSA comes in with easy vocals reminding us of our favorite musicians Boom Shaka, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah with a Neo Soul Pantsula twist. Sample of a house classic and sultry vocals before the song ends, la la la la la and sax.

Featuring a sample from DJ Ganyani's 'Talk to me' ft. Layla. We see a deeper dive into his interests, true interpretation of sounds. All the elements, samples and interpolations in the album are used in a way that conveys ZULO's vision.

There are moments on the album like "JUST VAARBS" where you can feel the identity of a truly unique South African talent shining through the Kwaito inspired production.

He has moments of pure genius. Every switch in tempo or flow or cadence comes as a surprise. It's the same quality that you experience in a movie that you can't quite tell where it's going. It is more of a listening experience than a song. 

I think that's the one thing I could take away from "Talk to Me Naarce". It's a coming-of-age story.

A journey of ZULO and the experiences that shaped him. In his words, "There is no such thing as slept on. You're just not doing enough. Talk to Me Naarce now!" 

[voiceoutofstars]

A re-record of the Data Bank (Factions) entry on Galaxy Rangers, with the paragraph expansion added in patch 2.3.

Music is “Beata” by OB-LIX.

[onepiecetcg]

Idk maybe they should kiss or something

Lyrics are from Ship in a Bottle by fin

[ittzzulo]

Never Ending Distance

I stroll the dark hall of nothingness following only the white path leading to her. No matter how fast I run, walk, skip, sprint, or dash. She gets further. Creating a never ending distance between me and her.

[malicious-metal]

Some more exploration sketches of Genesis' Zulo shape as I get a better feel for the shape language. That first one may or may not get cleaned up into something proper since that's really got his vibe down pat lmao.

[its-sixxers]

My secret December project, August's Zulo form for @witchknightblack!

Festive colors, if I do say so myself....

[sixfaith]

bug

[falpiancaraxus]

Somehow in someway, Luffy has become the "house" to Zoro and he always find his way back to him