Cutting the Roots!

Jingle... Jingle...

As the door swung open, it announced Mary's arrival with cheerful, clinking bells.

The waiter stepped forward to greet her, but his words caught in his throat as he met her hollow, haunting gaze.

Gasp!

His face drained of color, and he stumbled back slightly, a low murmur of "Oh..." escaping his lips.

"Who is this now?" Seraphina set down her chopsticks with a clatter, her interest piqued by the disturbance.

The restaurant, styled like an ancient pavilion, hummed with the quiet sounds of dining—chopsticks clicking against bowls, soft sips of tea.

Mary stood still at the threshold, her eyes sweeping across the room until they landed on the twins.

In a voice that carried over the soft din, she asked, "Which one of you all comes from the Sun Dynasty?"

"..."

"..."

The room fell silent, the only sounds the soft rustle of fabric as everyone turned to look at Snow and Xavier.