diff --git a/src/functional_tests/test_core_bud_btn.py b/src/functional_tests/test_core_bud_btn.py
index e0b66ec..7e291c9 100644
--- a/src/functional_tests/test_core_bud_btn.py
+++ b/src/functional_tests/test_core_bud_btn.py
@@ -247,10 +247,18 @@ class BudBtnSlideOutTest(FunctionalTest):
 
 
 class BudKitMutualExclusionTest(FunctionalTest):
-    """When kit btn is active, bud btn fades to 0 — and vice-versa."""
+    """When kit btn is active, bud btn fades to 0 — and vice-versa.
+
+    PORTRAIT-only: in landscape kit_btn sits at the TOP of the right
+    sidebar + bud_panel slides across the BOTTOM, no visual conflict, so
+    the .bud-open kit fade is `@media (orientation: portrait)`-scoped
+    (see _bud.scss). The default landscape viewport would render the
+    rule inert. Resize to portrait so the rule fires."""
 
     def setUp(self):
         super().setUp()
+        self.browser.quit()
+        self.browser = self._make_browser(800, 1200)  # portrait
         self.gamer = User.objects.create(email="bud@test.io")
         self.post = _seed_a_post(self.gamer)
         self.create_pre_authenticated_session("bud@test.io")
diff --git a/src/functional_tests/test_trinket_carte_blanche.py b/src/functional_tests/test_trinket_carte_blanche.py
index af8fd34..02edb6c 100644
--- a/src/functional_tests/test_trinket_carte_blanche.py
+++ b/src/functional_tests/test_trinket_carte_blanche.py
@@ -91,7 +91,10 @@ class CarteBlancheTest(FunctionalTest):
         # version of the test had a 5+ second hover/wait at step 2 (Free
         # Token tooltip — now removed) that masked the race; without that
         # wait, we have to explicitly dismiss the banner before proceeding.
-        self.wait_for(
+        # `wait_for_slow` (60s ceiling) — under CI contention the Brief's
+        # DOM-ready handler can land past wait_for's 10s default; CI #345
+        # hit this exact NoSuchElement timeout.
+        self.wait_for_slow(
             lambda: self.browser.find_element(By.CSS_SELECTOR, ".my-sea-sign-gate-brief")
         )
         self.browser.find_element(