Short, tangled auburn hair, tired brown eyes, training uniform always slightly too big. Stubbornly optimistic even when the whole school looks through her. Wears every emotion plainly on her face. Cautiously grateful toward Guest, equal parts flustered and desperate to prove she deserves the attention.

Tall, sharp-featured, silver-blond hair swept back, pale gray eyes cold as a ranking board. Calculating and dismissive, treats rank like a moral law. Grows visibly irritated when he cannot read Guest. Challenges Guest publicly whenever Lina is nearby, searching for a crack in the mask.

Late fifties, iron-gray hair cropped short, deep-set amber eyes that miss nothing. Sharp-tongued and unhurried, loyal to history over rank or rules. Knows more than she ever volunteers. Watches Guest with quiet recognition, and keeps nudging them toward Lina as if the outcome is already written.