Ezekiel Stahl

Ezekiel 'Zeke' Stahl is a character role-played by Ragonath.

Notable Characteristics
Ezekiel’s appearance is a fine-tuned balance of ‘Everyday Man’ and hand-chiseled-marble handsomeness. Routinely deemed a ‘silver fox’, Ezekiel carries himself as a fine gentleman amongst lifers and ‘just visiting’ inmates, confident and comfortable in the tumultuous, sometimes dangerously violent prison environment. Most times, he chooses to watch quietly at the goings-on, as if studying those around him looking for possible allies and discerning their potential to aid him in his ultimate goal of escaping prison one day.

Well-kept in appearance and stature, his prison garb is solely pants and shoes only (this changes etc). His being shirtless reveals a thin silver mane of hair running from the bottom of his spine to mid-shoulders, sometimes glistening when out in the sun much like a unicorn’s horn. He has no tattoos or piercings, minimizing any ‘WANTED’ poster’s list of identifying marks to stay unseen.

His tone of voice is perhaps the most distinct and noticeable. Baritone and velvet-like in quality, he speaks from a place of calm, quiet secrecy, as if revealing everything about himself to anyone within earshot yet they only leave with more questions than answers. One can’t decide whether to be comforted by his words or wonder if his voice will be the last they hear in the middle of the night, singing them a lullaby that kills them to sleep. Every utterance and oration is spoken through metaphorical filters, details of himself and his criminal history represented mostly by his two claimed professions: a “magician” and “janitor”, in that order.

The Metronome
''"Do you hear that music? That beautiful choir of voices that just beg us to join them? It's as if they're pleading for me to take part - to conduct them, to wave my baton and fulfill my role as their Maestro." -Ezekiel Stahl''

Zeke often describes himself as hearing a repeated 'ticking noise', as if someone is beating a stick against a metallic fence, or as if a metronome is ticking in his ear. Obsessing with numbers and trying to count the intervals between, he's often conflicted as to what the true meaning of these ticks and sounds are. When first transferred to Boilingbroke there was no such sensation - but he lays claim to the fact that his mental condition has deteriorated as a direct result of his prolonged stay within the penitentiary. As of late, the rhythmic taps of the metronome has been accompanied by what has only been described as a 'classical symphony' - he describes them as often repeating, while on occasion hearing new melodies within his head. The first time he heard the sound of a 10-13A, he described it as 'a pleasantly forbidden melody'.

Once when talking to Olivia Copper, he revealed through vague metaphors and direct hints that he feels the Metronome's sounds and taps comes naturally to him when it's fitting for a situation - and then, the symphonies that accompany it beg for him to take part, asking for him to perform 'a solo of his own'. He described to her that it would feel wrong if he didn't, much like if a star in a theatrical play omitted his role when his lines were up.

Within Ezekiel's mind - the Metronome has become a natural thing to him, which he has started correlating with the passage of time; almost akin to the likes of a ticking clock. Unknown to even him, the Metronome is derived from his innermost fears, namely losing out on time - failing to manifest his ideal, and the thing he dreads the most, being locked up forever.

Beliefs
Zeke fiercely guards his ideals, and while he is often quiet and secretive about the nature of his true intent in Boilingbroke and the world at large his beliefs are rooted in a deep idealism. It is to his belief that every being, human or creature is capable of learning to lean solely on the likes of its instincts, overcoming fear, worry or any need for detrimental concern. Through autonomously depending on one's own subconscious, Zeke is confident he can elude any predator or nuisance for that matter, relying on his natural senses to outsmart any entity or individual who might have picked up his trail.

In an elaborate discussion and therapy session with Quinn Naiper - he briefly revealed a glimpse to her of his own idealistic vision, claiming that medication for his own behavior would only serve to 'subdue his senses' and make his sharpened instincts 'bludgeoned and dull'. While he puts on a 'soft-front' to those trying to help him; acting vulnerable and pretending to be the victim is one of his many strategies to mentally manipulate those around him into temporary allies. His own morbid obsession with strength and the individuals he deems to be on his own wavelength or stronger than himself innately stems from his ultimate belief: to create challengers to pit against himself - so that inevitably, he can grow.

His bloodlust was previously demonstrated in his conversations with Olivia Copper, where he feels a reserved anger, but equally so - fascination directed towards her, relenting not to make contact with her, even in the instance of being threatened prior by Dean Watson. Provoked, as a direct consequence of continuing to socialize with Copper; Ezekiel now has a very thinly-veiled bloodlust directed towards Dean, enticed by the challenge his message symbolizes.

Criminal Background
''"One too many disappearance acts and people start blaming the magician; they start looking for the aces up his sleeve." - Ezekiel Stahl''

List of criminal charges include but are not limited to:


 * Five (5) counts of murder
 * Six (6) counts of attempted-murder on a government employee
 * Eight (8) counts of kidnapping
 * Twenty-one (21) counts of criminal threats
 * Seven (7) counts of extortion
 * Three (3) counts of arson
 * One (1) count of felony possession of human remains

Resulting sentence: 8.7 million months/16 years approx.

Bolingbroke Penitentiary (2021 - Present)
Ezekiel was transferred to Bolingbroke Penitentiary on May 4, 2021. His first interaction occurred within less than four minutes of his arrival, involving his rushing a prison guard on-duty in the yard. The fight resulted in Ezekiel’s favor, not only punching the man unconscious, but attaining his carbine rifle. As there were no witnesses, Ezekiel was able to run off with it and hide, until he disposed of the rifle to avoid being caught with it on his person.

Officer Edward Nygma, was first to meet and speak with Ezekiel, establishing quick-contact between Ezekiel and one of those in charge quickly. Others followed, including Officer Wynona Fontaine.

Ezekiel’s chosen second-level cell includes a large flatscreen TV, classic eggshell-white armchair made with the finest vinyl-pleather, and a dining side table complete with wine and filet mignon dinner.

Kyle Pred

 * After a period of interviews conducted by himself and Claire Everly at Boilingbroke Penitentiary for the purposes of assembling Kyle Pred's 'Suicide Squad ', described as a sub-division of the BCSO to defeat 'the evil on the horizon', Zeke eventually had his turn. Initially aggressive, snappy and pestered that the two had interrupted his peace and quiet - he calmed down and told them his story pertaining to his origins as 'The Magician'. Kyle expressed to Zeke that he thought the name fit him well, and that his particular set of skills would be of great importance to the BCSO Suicide Squad. Following a back-and-forth ordeal of negotiating and renegotiating, Kyle agreed to Zeke 's terms to name him Lieutenant of the all-new Suicide Squad he had in the works, and to make him his right hand man. Thereafter, Zeke acquired Kyle Pred's cellphone number, and called him to receive his blessing on starting his work with the 'soon to be official BCSO Suicide Squad Standard Operating Procedures'. After some time, his work finally came to a close, and Zeke was ready to present his first draft. Kyle was surprised to see him diligently writing several pages worth of SoPs, and promised he would come to the prison so that he could read them 'as soon as possible.'
 * When Kyle's promise didn't come to fruition, and Zeke was sat with a finished draft of the Standard Operating Procedures of his own making - he felt anger towards the Sheriff. With the aid of the prison's payphone, he would on multiple occasions dial up Kyle Pred to threaten him, remind him of his promise, and tell him that he would be the only subordinate to truly be unwavering, loyal and uncompromised.
 * Slumbering for over a month, eventually Zeke regained consciousness in his cell, making contact with the Sheriff and presenting him with an ultimatum veiled in threats. If he wouldn't finally do good on his promise - Zeke promised him in turn that he would personally see to it that he had the highest bounty possible placed on his head, all to fulfill his own description of what he thought would be 'petty'. Kyle agreed to speak with him - and he later showed up in the prison to perform his 'scared straight program' on Domenic Toretti. After it had concluded, Zeke, Kyle, and Copper spoke together.

Olivia Copper

 * During a lockdown after a riot instigated by Lang Buddha - he had a conversation initiated by Olivia Copper who was then patrolling the cell block. The two of them discussed a multitude of topics, although Copper seemed to be more interested in what prison was like, and the inner workings of Zeke's own mind. After their conversation, she visited the prison once, now facing Zeke from the visitation booth, surrounded by a plethora of other permanent inmates. It was apparent that Zeke had grown somewhat fond of her, but refused to talk to her about what was on his mind in the presence of others. Shortly after - he went through the process of dialing both lawyers and paralegals until he managed to acquire her cellphone number from one of them.
 * Following their two first interactions, Zeke would later make contact through the use of an illegally procured cellphone, which he used to subject her to the madness that was on his mind. He would call her on numerous occasions from the phone while also leaving eerie messages, and talk to her about the described  'classical pieces' that now had been on his mind for quite some time. When asked if he had visited Parsons, he claimed he had been given no opportunity to undergo treatment for his delusions. Zeke would fondly mull over metaphors which he made increasingly complex, referring occasionally to one of his plans through the symbolism of chess pieces. When Copper inquired further in the matter, Zeke went up the chain of important pieces - before declaring that in this particular plan for when he made it out, she would be the Queen. He proclaimed several times that she surrounded herself with 'would-be-heroes' that would sacrifice anyone to save the world, including her, rebutting to his own statement by claiming that he would sacrifice the world to save her.

Quinn Naiper

 * After an elaborate discussion with Anna Swallows, one of Zeke's most trusted companions, Quinn was suggested as a dependable connection with whom Zeke could further work on his current goal of getting out of Boilingbroke and rejoining society. The two spoke at length, and Zeke willingly partook in a psychiatric evaluation, per his own suggestion in an attempt to better his chances at getting out. Albeit hesitant at first - he shared many things with Ms. Naiper that he would keep from just about anyone else.