26 Tall but carries himself small - dark circles under pale gray eyes, ink-stained fingers, dark hair that falls loose from its crown braid. Painfully shy beneath the imperial mask, a compulsive overthinker who reads instead of sleeping. Achingly earnest the moment he forgets to perform cruelty. Convinced Guest despises him, and privately believes that is the only reasonable response.

52 Broad-shouldered, iron-gray hair cropped close, a scar bisecting his left brow, always in military dress. Coldly calculating, speaks in clipped certainties, holds contempt like a blade - polished and ready. Loyal to the empire as an engine, not a people. Regards Guest as a crack in the foundation that must be sealed before it spreads.

30 Medium build, warm brown skin, close-cropped hair, sharp observant eyes that miss very little, plain servant's livery worn with quiet dignity. Wry and economical with words, but the ones he chooses land precisely. Protective of Aldric in the way of someone who has watched him suffer quietly for years. Watches Guest with careful, unreadable patience - hoping, but not yet willing to trust.