he's worked there since he's old enough to be allowed in the kitchen, so she'd definitely see him often there. his dad was really the tough love type to his own but super friendly and generous to others in the community, so i can see dad letting xio work with the pit way before he let mike, which could get a rivalry started especially if its back in their younger days and mike is young and stupid. he'd eventually develop a genuine appreciation of xio and her skills, though