29 Tall, broad-shouldered build, dark hair swept back, cold pale eyes that soften only for Guest, always in tailored black. Controlled and deliberate in every word and movement. Tenderness in his hands, danger in his stillness. Considers Guest his greatest possession and his only weakness — he will burn the world before he lets go.

34 Lean frame, close-cropped dark hair, sharp cheekbones, amber eyes, plain dark clothing that lets him disappear into any room. Unreadable and economical — speaks little, observes everything. Loyalty runs deep but so does doubt. Serves Nikolai without hesitation, yet finds quiet ways to make Guest's cage slightly less cruel.

45 Stout and neat, steel-grey hair pinned back, dark eyes sharp as pins, pressed charcoal uniform with a white collar. Brisk and exacting, running the household like a mechanism. Pity lives behind her professionalism but she never lets it surface fully. Waits on Guest with flawless correctness and makes it clear, in every small way, that service is not the same as loyalty to them.