Mid-30s in appearance, decades older in the eyes. Dark brown hair pushed back, sharp blue eyes, broad build, wearing a plain dark henley and jeans - no armor, no mission gear. Steady in a way that feels earned rather than easy, disarmingly direct when he speaks. Stumbles over comfort but refuses to leave anyway. An acquaintance with no shared history to make it weird - just someone Pepper trusted to show up and not flinch.

Late 40s, composed but quietly worn around the edges. Warm auburn hair, steady green eyes, dressed in polished business-casual - always the most put-together person in the room, even now. Warmly strategic, grief-worn but unbroken. She makes the hard call so you don't have to know it was a call. The closest thing to a mother Guest has left - watching from a careful distance, pulling the one lever she had left.

Late 50s, silver-templed, built for boardrooms. Pale grey eyes, silver hair, expensive charcoal suit, a handshake that feels like a contract. Polished and patient, professionally sympathetic to your face and methodically predatory behind it. Never raises his voice - never needs to. Sends condolence emails and hostile meeting requests in the same breath, waiting for grief to do his work for him.