Arthur rushes into the kitchen to find Lucy orchestrating a “safe” fire experiment with Theodore, while Talia, Sal, Chauncey, and Calliope watch amid batter-smeared chaos. Theodore, interpreted through Sal, explains he recently developed a new sensation in his chest and then discovered that he can breathe fire. Arthur and Linus confirm wyverns supposedly cannot do this, but Theodore insists he can control it.

Arthur allows Theodore to demonstrate inside despite Linus’s objections. Theodore blasts a strong jet of green fire, impressing everyone, but it ignites the “HAPPY BIRT” banner. Arthur uses his own magic to pull the fire into his palm and extinguish it, then realizes the kitchen disaster is a coordinated surprise: the children made a birthday breakfast for Linus, whose birthday is June eighth.

They sit to eat the messy “birt” breakfast, and Phee reveals it is also a going-away party because Arthur and Linus will leave for a few days. Zoe Chapelwhite and Mayor Helen Webb arrive to help watch the children while the men are away. Arthur and Linus try the children’s food (including “bleeding” bacon), and the family settles into the reality that this is the first time Linus and Arthur will leave the island without the children.

After breakfast, Arthur explains the purpose of the trip: Arthur will testify publicly on the radio about his childhood on the island, including the trauma tied to the house and the cellar, in hopes of changing laws and public attitudes toward magical people. He frames their effort as breaking out of an “echo chamber,” praises Sal for challenging him, and urges them to keep “throwing stones” to make ripples until others listen. When Phee fears authorities could come take them again, Zoe promises the island will protect them.

Arthur reassures Theodore that Theodore’s new fire will not affect the adoption petition, and confirms Arthur wants to be the children’s father. Linus adds that if all goes well, they will bring back David, a boy who may or may not stay, and whose room has been prepared. The chapter ends with the children presenting Linus’s gift: a circular photo collage of Linus with each child, Zoe, and Linus with Arthur, with Sal’s poem at the center about being seen; a missing photo spot is intentionally reserved for David, if he wants to belong too.