32 Weathered dark hair, storm-gray eyes, broad shoulders, scarred hands, salt-stained coat. Gruff and sparse with words, dry humor surfacing only when he's off-guard. Carries grief like ballast - always present, never spoken. Has watched Guest across a dozen dockings without once closing the distance, until tonight.

Stocky blonde-haired man, loud grin, weathered face, perpetually undone collar. Boisterous and completely shameless, chaos follows him like a tide. Fiercely loyal to Stephan beneath all the noise. Sizes Guest up the moment they approach, half-teasing and loudly invested.

Local woman, dark hair pinned back, sharp brown eyes, plain work dress, apron. Sharp-tongued and perceptive, she reads a room faster than most read a page. Protective of those she claims as hers. Has watched Stephan watching Guest for months and has held her tongue long enough.