Traintober: Day 15 "Maintenance"

Traintober: Day 15 "Maintenance"

"Twins But Opposites"

[Crovan's Gate, Sodor Steamworks, East Sodor]

The Foreman stepped out in front of the two shunters, "You're free to go Dennis." The grey diesel shunter murmured "Five more minutes. . . " under his breath, as he dozed.

The Foreman wasn't having any of this.

"Now. We need that space for any rolling stock or engines that may need repairs." As he said this another worker called out from another part of the works that another engine, likely James, would need that track Dennis was on today.

The Foreman signaled to Dennis' driver to try and start him up. After a few more moments of his driver trying to start him up, Dennis lazily opened his eyes, "Fiiinne." he groaned. His engine clattered to life and began to leave.

Norman watched his brother leave, he couldn't help but feel small twinges of resentment for Dennis. He had a fully functional engine, whilst Norman had to wait until the workers told him yet again there was very little they could do aside from a temporary patch job, and yet he had the audacity to waste his abilities on lazily resting when there was more than enough work to be done.

Norman however, held his tongue. Dennis was his brother and even if he held contempt for Dennis' habits, he still cared deeply about his brother, his twin.

Twins they may have been but no matter how physically alike, they'd always be polar opposites.

-

Sprites and Background by PrincessMuffins, CJ The Creator, Anthochel, etc. [I have only reskinned some stuff].

I'm going to be honest, given that fact Crovan's Gate is so skilled and all, I struggle to imagine how Norman's issues weren't seen to not long after his arrival. Or just in general. Same goes for Paxman.

So for now, unless contradicted by a later piece, imagine this is not long into Norman's being on Sodor.

the kids online safety act passed the u.s. senate.

long story short (for anyone who hadn't heard of this before) the kids online safety act, aka kosa, is a bill that will censor online content and resources for lgbtq+ matters, reproductive healthcare, activism (INCLUDING PALESTINE AND LIKELY OTHER CRISES GOING ON LIKE IN CONGO OR SUDAN), mental health, etc. everywhere--its effects likely won't be contained to just america.

today, july 30th, 2024, the senate passed it 91-3. it has officially moved to the house of representatives.

is this a pretty massive setback? yes. do you have every right to be scared, sad, angry, or whatever else about this happening? absolutely. but should you give up hope completely? NO!

even though kosa passed the senate, the house is on break/august recess at the moment. we have around an entire month to get emails, calls, and faxes in to house reps, maybe more depending on when they decide to vote on it.

should it pass the house and get signed into law, we still have a whole 18 months before it actually goes into effect. this is plenty of time for digital rights orgs (e.g. fight for the future, the electronic frontier foundation) and other groups that oppose it to file a lawsuit against it. even if, worst-case scenario, it flies through the house immediately after the recess ends, we can still fight this up to march 2026.

so, yes, remember what's at stake here, but also remember that it's not over yet. we lost a battle, not the war.

below are some resources to learn more about kosa and how to contact your reps (first link) + a page that lets you directly contact progressive house reps, sign an open letter opposing the bill, and view others' testimonies against it (second link):

Google Docs

Resources For KOSA

Call Script on Page 2! Resources For Learning about KOSA 2023: KOSA bill itself: https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/1

FIGHT. FIGHT. FIGHT.

Stop, do not skip. Please repost or donate. I ask you, humanitarians, to do this to rebuild my life. My name is Karam al-Nabih. I am 23 years old. Now I have lost my university and I have also lost my home. My mother needs medical attention and we also need travel costs when the crossing is reopened. I hope you will support me to reach my destination. My goal soon

gofundme.com

Donate to Help Karam and his family rebuild their life, organized by Ziad Okasha

Dear compassionate people, Meet Karam Rafiq Al-Nabih, a resilient 23-year-ol… Ziad Okasha needs your support for Help Karam and his family

@ibtisams @riding-with-the-wild-hunt @vakarians-babe @7amaspayrollmanager @fairuzfan @fallahifag @sayruq @humanvoreture @kaapstadgirly @sar-soor @dimonds456 @plomegranate @commissions4aid-international @nabulsi @stil-lindigo @soon-palestine @communitythings @palestinegenocide @vakarians-babe @ghost-and-a-half @7amaspayrollmanager @kaapstadgirly @annoyingloudmicrowavecultist @feluka @marnota @toughknit @flower-tea-fairies @the-stray-liger @riding-with-the-wild-hunt @vivisection-gf @communistchameleon @troythecatfish @the-bastard-king @4ft10tvlandfangirl

Spirit of Justice Rewrite

version 1, wherein i tried to work with what's already in the game and the least number of changes to make something more interesting to me. v2 will be where i scrap this game for parts

6.1 the Foreign Turnabout

Every few years Khura’in hosts an international conference for spirit channelling. Every school sends representatives and they share their techniques and knowledge. Because different schools exist in this world. Like they implied in the original trilogy.

As she has been Master of her school for several years now, Maya attends. And she brings Phoenix because it will be fun, like that trip to London ten years back!

Everything immediately goes wrong. Like that trip to London ten years back!

The case proceeds the same but Maya is there as his co-counsel just for funsies.

6.2 Turnabout Storyteller

This case works better as a soft introduction to Nahyuta and a straight forward case for him to have on his exchange trip, I think:

Athena has to take this solo because Phoenix is on vacation and Apollo is already on a case. They’re the Wright agency. They are well known. They get a LOT of requests. Fight me Capcom. They can just work different cases you don't always need to banish people! ...ahem. Nahyuta is very excited to face one of the infamous Wright lawyers in court.

But unlike the other two, Athena has published research about her power and Widget. So Nahyuta spent all night reading all her and her mother’s papers, so he is ready to counter it. This is where his reputation for research comes in. Not about some insecurity nonsense, but because he found a flaw in her technology. Widget is still experimental, it happens. But the player doesn’t know this yet, the testimony just isn’t making sense. But Simon, with some experience with Metis and more importantly experience in being an ass hole sees that Nahyuta is doing something, so he jumps in. That’s his niece dammit no one messes with her but him. Together they figure out what the hell Nahyuta is doing. It ads a “fun” extra layer to the game play because he does not stop his dirty trick just because they figured it out. Simon voice ‘that smug self-righteous little prick’. But like the law, science is ever evolving so Athena will adapt!

After the case Nahyuta comes to congratulate the defence. He genuinely enjoyed himself, it was an honour to face Athena. He leaves and Apollo, only on his recess, comes over to check how it’s going. Athena says the name of the prosecutor and Apollo reacts so hard it hurts her ears. The chapter ends right there.

6.3 the Rite of Turnabout

Maya leaves Nick to his own devices for a bit so she and her new friends can prepare for the Rite. And of course that's when murder happens. The suspect is one of the visiting mediums. Maya, for once, is the key witness! The suspect is her friend, sure, but she barely knows them. She genuinely has no idea if they really did it or not. She cannot bring herself to ask Phoenix to help them but… she can’t just leave them.

Phoenix is faced with the choice – allow someone go unrepresented, or risk his life for someone who might have done the crime. Rayfa is already sure what he will do, and that makes his choice for him. He has to show her that the right to a fair trial is what is important. When he ultimately wins at the end of a gruelling fight, it is pure chance his client was innocent. But they would have been executed if Nick had not tried and this hits Rayfa harder.

“Sometimes my clients are guilty, yes. Then it’s not about setting them free, but getting a fair sentence.” “But you – you help the wicked!” “Well so do your prosecutors every time they send an innocent to jail. You need both, Princess. You need balance.”

Nahyuta prepared for facing The Phoenix Wright, by spending all night coming up with the most batshit insane theories he could. When Phoenix proposes something, Nahyuta already has evidence against it. It takes Phoenix like three layers of nonsense bluffing on an idea to reach something Nahyuta did not think of and finally get some ground.

On the investigation between trial days Phoenix, and I cannot stress this enough, calls his loved ones. He cannot bring himself to tell them what has happened but he just wants to hear his daughter’s voice.

Nahyuta, and I cannot stress this enough, wants to find the rebel hunter. Except he will not and cannot admit that. He keeps pushing Phoenix, giving him weird openings to poke at that identity. Keeps not taking the quick opening for the win because he wants to find the hunter. Phoenix Maya and the judge are so confused but Nahyuta only says he wants the defence to feel like they did all they could.

The case ends on a cut scene of Nahyuta and Dhuke locking eyes across the smoke of the court room as the music swells.

6.4 the Magical Turnabout

It’s been a week since Mr Wright and Maya should have come back from their trip, longer since the end of her friend’s trial. The last the Agency heard from them it was confusing, something about things were a mess. Or maybe the weather was. Maya kept ‘chiming in’ so it was hard to hear. They are missing Trucy’s dress rehearsal but they will get back in time for the actual debut. ...hopefully.

Cue the murder! They have to call in Nahyuta to prosecute because no one who works for Miles can do it, ethically. And Miles doesn’t trust other districts not to try and hurt him through his god-and-or-step-daughter. Apollo cannot believe he is going to have to face off against his brother. He could barely believe Athena but, there he is. Little Yuty, all grown up.

Nahyuta has prepared for Apollo’s powers too, like he has all others. He stresses the witness out so much they are nothing but tics so Apollo can’t find just one. Athena is ready though. She was waiting for Nahyuta to pull some shit. She is paying forward what she learned in her case and is ready with Therapy sessions to calm the witness down and get her own piece of information out of them. Nahyuta just gives a smarmy smile and says ‘that is fine. Unlike some I do not need any underhanded tricks’. Athena almost punches him.

Obviously, the case needs to better explore Trucy’s feelings about the Gramarye’s and having to carry their legacy. When the judge asks her to smile again Athena and Apollo tell him off.

As they stand in the lobby after the case Phoenix kicks down the door, dishevelled and panicked and looking for his daughter and oh thank god she is okay. The flying tackle hug Trucy gives her daddy gets a whole animated cut scene. He had talked to them on the phone yesterday and promised he was already on his way and he is so sorry he couldn’t get here sooner but Trucy is just happy he is here now. Apollo sighs and is like you’re okay. We’re okay. Everything is going to be fine.

Right?

6.5.1 the Civil Turnabout

So. Here’s the thing. I am so sick of hostage situations. They keep using them badly instead of actual good new writing just to capitalize off Farewell My Turnabout. No more. I had an idea for this, where Nahyuta is sent to be Phoenix’s co-counsel (watch dog) to make sure he gets the orb. But Apollo gets through to Nahyuta who breaks down and gives Dhurke the locations of hostages he needs to save, via an old rebel code Apollo only half remembers and Dhurke is like… wait no that person? No, they’re fine already lol. And there is this tense moment where Nahyuta can’t trust Dhurke to give the whole truth instead of what is convenient for him so Nick turns to Apollo like is it true?? Is she safe?? And you as Apollo get to chose if you trust Dhurke or not. And if you trust him, Nick is so relieved he literally throws his badge at Paul Atishon’s head like fuck you I quit.

But I am so sick of their hostage situations.

Instead!

When Dhurke shows up to ask for Apollo’s help Phoenix is already in Kurain because Maya needed his help suddenly. And when Apollo Dhurke and Trucy get there, they learn, oh, the help she needed was dealing with the estate of this suddenly dead man (“Maya you aren’t on trial you don’t need to call me every time someone dies” “IT WAS REFLEX NICK!”)

But then Phoenix sees Dhurke and he. Is so suspicious. And blames Dhurke a little bit for the last case he worked in Khura’in. A lot bit actually. Sneaking him and Maya out of Khura’in did not make up for what Datz pulled. And Phoenix has been talking to Sarge, who is being lied to by Paul. But all Phoenix knows is this newly orphaned child does not want these strangers to take the orb. And his dad instincts kick in. So he has to stand up for this scared little girl so, Sorry Apollo, he won’t let this happen. See you in court tomorrow.

Trucy joins her dad as co-counsel because she’s getting a lot of Weird Vibes tm from Dhurke and she has. Daddy issues. And maybe thinks they can save Apollo from Dhurke. She’s still dealing with some shit alright leave her alone. Athena joins Apollo because she has no stakes either way but Apollo will super duper lose on his own against those two. They will still lose, probably, definitely, but maybe not as quickly if they work together? “Such confidence Athena.” “Teamwork makes the Dream Work!”

Except they actually do make ground? They get through to Sarge and Phoenix that this is alright, so Sarge wants to drop the case. But then Atishon jumps in saying, no, a child’s whims do not mean the matter is ended. Phoenix wants to walk away but he realizes Atishon is probably working for someone else, and if he keeps the trial going his kids can wring more information out of him…

After the case, in the lobby Apollo is so worried Phoenix hates him for winning (like Kristoph would have) but all Phoenix saw was Apollo standing up for what was right – what’s there to be mad about? No, he’s not just not mad, he’s incredibly proud. There’s a very sweet family tackle hug with all four of them. Nick’s poor back.

They give Dhurke the orb and he and Apollo have some kind of moment, then he and Datz leave.

But only a few days later, they see on the news. Minister Inga, murdered. Dhurke, the suspect and on the lamb. But they promise to give him a fair trial if he reveals himself. And, importantly, if Phoenix Wright will agree to defend him.

They won’t even execute Phoenix if when Dhurke is declared guilty this time. A special exception, just to prove how magnanimous they are.

Edgeworth: This is obviously a trap. Wright: Yup. Athena: Got our tickets boss! Edgeworth: Phoenix!

6.5.2 Revolution and Turnabout

I am so tired

6.5 is just a mashup of every finale from the trilogy but worse. At least Turnabout for Tomorrow was mostly original. But I would literally have to rewrite the entire murder with something completely new to fix it. Which would also require changing like half the game. And the point of this is fewest number of changes.

So, like, I don’t know just let Amara actually get her hands dirty to kill Inga! Commit to your own story! She thought Dhurke betrayed her, yes but he was still her husband. So, Garan convinces Amara to kill Inga in revenge. And you see her heartbreak on the stand as she realizes, if she had just believed her own husband over her sister, none of this would have happened. Her own sister did all this just to keep her own hands clean. And since Garan was careful with her wording, they cannot get her on conspiracy to commit murder. There is nothing they can do. Garan will go free. That is why they have to dig around for Jove Justice’s murder. Their last hail mary to dethrone her.

The conclusion to Nahyuta’s story, that he turned to aiding Ga’ran because of a single life held hostage, was weak. A pale justification. Instead, own that it was a mistake. He failed because a corrupt workplace will corrupt you long before you can change it from the inside. He lost his ideals along the way and he has to live with that now. That he became complicit in her system. But he is not alone now, if he is willing to take the hand extended to him. He wanted to stop the rebel hunter, a part of him still cares!

So he gives them the final piece to prove Garan killed Jove Jangly Justice.

But Garan still has an entire police force on her side. People who enlisted for a chance of power to abuse, they don’t care about the sanctity of magic on the throne. That’s not why anyone joins the police. She calls for them to put an end to this. And they absolutely would.

But nothing happens.

In the distance Datz starts laughing. Because he and his rebels have been taking out and replacing the guard while the lawyers distracted everyone, and pretending everything is fine to all the troops outside. “Take it home AJ!” Because man oh man, will using the court against her be satisfying. But also please hurry up because they might notice something is wrong soon.

Proving she has no spiritual power is just proving her motive, and a final chance to humiliate the tyrant.

(Also, no delusional break downs. Screaming and spitting with rage as she is forced to accept her fate is so much better.)

Traintober 2023 is Here!

Now, I can't draw - and I'm a writer anyway, so here's 31 days worth of headcanons, rambles and short stories based on the Traintober prompts by @theflyingkipper. First time doing this, so it ought to be fun!

This is the master post, so it'll have all the links you need to find what I post this year. This page will also have this link to my Ao3 work which has the same stuff, but without pictures.

Day 1: Free Day (A ramble about preservation and Sodor) Day 2: Bridge (Rheneas, 1866) Day 3: Twins (Neil, Bill and Ben) Day 4: Devious (Diesel will forever be the most devious) Day 5: It's Only Me! (Sir Topham Hatt and Edward, a friendship in three words...) Day 6: Special Letters (A Tale of Two A1 Brothers...) Day 7: Refreshment (The Refreshment Lady is retiring...) Day 8: Bird (Cranky blames Henry for it all...) Day 9: Viaduct (Neil doesn't like the Viaduct...) Day 10: Happiest (The Engines are Happiest when...) Day 11: Roundhouse (Edward doesn't like Tidmouth Sheds...) Day 12: Something Borrowed (Maybe don't Borrow Henrietta...) Day 13: Something New (Gordon's new life on the slow trains...) Day 14: Young Iron (Ivo Hugh has some advice for a young engine...) Day 15: Maintenance (Duke Needs the Others to be Well Maintained...) Day 16: Purpose (What is an engine's purpose?) Day 17: Holiday (How Tourism on Sodor has evolved...) Day 18: Blueprints (Crovan's Gate is home to many blueprints...) Day 19: Revolutionary (What are the origins of the iconic phrase?...) Day 20: Live Wire (Edward didn't much like the telegraph wires...) Day 21: Roots (Terence does not like weeds...) Day 22: Top Hat (Sir Topham Hatt I decides to visit the railway...) Day 23: Big World (Duck manages to squirm into the BWBA movie...) Day 24: Odd Jobs (Rusty has many odd jobs...) Day 25: Distress Signal (What's out in Tidmouth Bay...) Day 26: Summit (James and the Culdee Fell Engine...) Day 27: Record-Breaker (Mallard broke the record; the record broke Mallard) Day 28: Which Way Now (An engine gets lost in the fog...) Day 29: Out of Service (Oliver wasn't the only engine in that siding...) Day 30: Middle of Nowhere (They should have left that part of the island alone) Day 31: Lights Out (Don't let the lights go out at Crovan's Gate)