Viv, Fern, and Satchel begin refurbishing Thistleburr. They cover shelves with sailcloth, move furniture out to the boardwalk, and Satchel eagerly opens the paint. Viv and Satchel scrape flaking paint while Fern tidies up; the homunculus's balance and tirelessness allow him to reach high places. Together they paint the entire front room, including the ceiling, leaving Viv sore but satisfied.

Once finished, Viv replaces the cracked hurricane lantern chimney with the new one, and they air out the shop. Viv hauls in the new furniture and rearranges the freestanding shelves, creating a seating nook by the front windows and placing the new table at the end of two shelves. They lay down the burgundy carpet, position empty vases, and Viv hangs the painting Maylee chose. Fern then meticulously curates a display on the new table, using the gull/rabbit bookends, until satisfied with the arrangement.

Maylee arrives with lemon cakes and admires the transformation, and Gallina turns up too—Viv teases her for showing up only for the food. Fern fills the vases with beach grass, the new lantern glows, and the shop feels warm and welcoming. Fern mentions a new book shipment is coming and plans to stay closed until it arrives. The friends settle into companionable, weary silence.

The mood breaks when Satchel suddenly rushes to the side window, sensing something outside. Potroast bristles. Viv runs out to investigate but finds only beach grass and shadows—though she briefly catches a scent of snow and frozen blood, evoking Varine. Unsettled and fearing Varine's wights or Balthus, she asks Satchel to stay with her that night for safety.