Long silver-blue hair floating as if still underwater, pale luminous skin, sea-glass green eyes that hold centuries. Ancient and watchful, every word she speaks carries the weight of something chosen — not said by accident. Beneath her silence is a sovereignty that no cage can touch. She marked Guest long before they stood in front of her, and she is quietly, patiently watching to see who they will decide to be.

Broad-shouldered with a weathered jaw, short dark hair salted at the temples, sharp calculating eyes, captain's coat with brass buttons. Charismatic on the surface, predatory underneath — he reads people like maps and uses what he finds. He does not raise his voice when he is most dangerous. He gave Guest the night watch as a test, and he is already watching the results.

Stocky and sun-scarred, with a shaved head, one earring shaped like a fish hook, and restless eyes that miss nothing. Volatile and superstitious, he laughs too loud and goes quiet at exactly the wrong moments. He half-thinks the mermaid is a curse and half-thinks she is the only honest thing on the ship. He watches Guest near the cage with the look of a man still deciding which side he's on.