Got it: it's an Echeveria setosa forma cristata! Thank you, Cactusmcharris and Andy! A small bit of info can do wonders on Google! I'll let my friend know about acclimating it and watering... he thought he was killing it; I'm glad it's not the case!

Nice cutting! As for sun, any plant even a cactus that has been out of full sun needs to be acclimated for full or even partial sun, or they will burn. The plants are Echeveria, as for variety I am not sure so will not say. Guide to Houseplants recommends bright light to partial sun.

Potting soil that has any sort of degradable organic matter in it - peat, coir, bark fines, compost, etc. - can generate fungal organisms. Typically they will be saprophytic or only affecting the decaying organic matter and pretty much harmless to the plants. I certainly wouldn't throw the plant away!! Just scrape the offending material off. And maybe look at your watering regime (consistently moist soil is more likely for these to occur than a faster draining, less organic mix).

The 2nd one looks like a Plectranthus. I don't know which species turns red in tons of sun, maybe neochilius. Are you able to add a closer pic of the bloom? The first one gave me a Plectranthus vibe too, but could be something in Crassulaceae. Is it fuzzy?