/* ==========================================================================
   Mashal — shared layout, nav, footer, buttons, cards, CTA band.
   Loaded by index.html, about.html and contact.html.
   ========================================================================== */

/* ---- Reset ------------------------------------------------------------- */
*, *::before, *::after { box-sizing: border-box; }
* { margin: 0; }

html { -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; scroll-behavior: smooth; }

body {
  font-family: var(--font-body);
  font-size: var(--step-0);
  line-height: var(--lh-body);
  color: var(--text-body);
  background: var(--bg-body);
  -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;
  -moz-osx-font-smoothing: grayscale;
  overflow-x: hidden;
}

img, svg { display: block; max-width: 100%; }
img { height: auto; }
button, input, textarea, select { font: inherit; color: inherit; }

h1, h2, h3, h4 {
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-weight: var(--fw-bold);
  line-height: var(--lh-tight);
  letter-spacing: var(--tracking-tight);
  color: var(--text-heading, var(--text-ink));
  text-wrap: balance;
}
p { text-wrap: pretty; }
a { color: inherit; }
:where(ul, ol) { padding: 0; list-style: none; }

/* ---- Focus ------------------------------------------------------------- */
:focus-visible {
  outline: var(--focus-width) solid var(--focus);
  outline-offset: var(--focus-offset);
  border-radius: var(--radius-sm);
}
:focus:not(:focus-visible) { outline: none; }

.skip-link {
  position: absolute;
  left: var(--space-md); top: var(--space-md);
  z-index: var(--z-skip);
  padding: var(--space-sm) var(--space-lg);
  background: var(--surface);
  color: var(--text-ink);
  font-weight: var(--fw-semibold);
  border-radius: var(--radius-sm);
  box-shadow: var(--shadow-md);
  transform: translateY(calc(-100% - var(--space-xl)));
  transition: transform var(--dur-fast) var(--ease-out);
}
.skip-link:focus { transform: translateY(0); }

.visually-hidden {
  position: absolute; width: 1px; height: 1px;
  padding: 0; margin: -1px; overflow: hidden;
  clip-path: inset(50%); white-space: nowrap; border: 0;
}

/* ---- Layout ------------------------------------------------------------ */
.container {
  width: 100%;
  max-width: var(--container);
  margin-inline: auto;
  padding-inline: var(--gutter);
}

.section { padding-block: var(--space-section); }
.section--tint { background: var(--bg-tint); }
.section--white { background: var(--bg-body); }

/* Centred section header — heading + one line. Sections lead with a short
   statement and hand the detail to cards, rather than a wall of prose. */
.section-head {
  max-width: 42rem;
  margin-inline: auto;
  margin-bottom: var(--space-2xl);
  text-align: center;
}
.section-head h2 { font-size: var(--step-4); margin-bottom: var(--space-md); }
.section-head p {
  font-size: var(--step-1);
  line-height: 1.5;
  color: var(--text-copy, var(--text-body));
}
.section-head .eyebrow { justify-content: center; }

/* ---- Eyebrow ----------------------------------------------------------- */
.eyebrow {
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: var(--space-sm);
  font-family: var(--font-mono);
  font-size: var(--step--1);
  font-weight: var(--fw-medium);
  letter-spacing: var(--tracking-label);
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: var(--text-meta, var(--text-muted));
  margin-bottom: var(--space-md);
}
/* (The leading gradient bar before eyebrow labels was removed at the owner's
   request — it read as a stray dash before every heading.) */

/* ---- Buttons ----------------------------------------------------------- */
.btn {
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center; justify-content: center;
  gap: var(--space-xs);
  padding: 0.85em 1.6em;
  font-size: var(--step-0);
  font-weight: var(--fw-semibold);
  line-height: 1.2;
  text-decoration: none;
  border: 1px solid transparent;
  border-radius: var(--radius-pill);
  cursor: pointer;
  white-space: nowrap;
  transition: transform var(--dur-fast) var(--ease-out),
              box-shadow var(--dur-base) var(--ease-out),
              background-color var(--dur-base) var(--ease-out),
              border-color var(--dur-base) var(--ease-out),
              color var(--dur-base) var(--ease-out);
}
.btn--primary {
  color: #FFFFFF;
  /* Solid fallback under the gradient — a button whose background-image does
     not paint would otherwise be white-on-UA-grey (1.14:1). This is 6.50:1. */
  background-color: var(--accent-violet);
  background-image: var(--cta-gradient);
  box-shadow: 0 4px 16px rgba(91, 63, 224, 0.28);
}
.btn--primary:hover {
  background-image: var(--cta-gradient-hover);
  transform: translateY(-3px);
  box-shadow: 0 10px 30px rgba(91, 63, 224, 0.45);
}
.btn--primary:active { transform: translateY(-1px); }

.on-dark .btn--secondary {
  color: var(--text-on-dark);
  background-color: rgba(207, 201, 240, 0.06);
  border-color: rgba(207, 201, 240, 0.34);
}
.on-dark .btn--secondary:hover {
  background-color: rgba(207, 201, 240, 0.13);
  border-color: var(--violet-on-dark);
  transform: translateY(-3px);
}
.btn--secondary {
  color: var(--text-ink);
  background-color: transparent;
  border-color: rgba(26, 22, 80, 0.24);
}
.btn--secondary:hover {
  border-color: var(--accent-violet);
  color: var(--accent-violet);
  background-color: rgba(91, 63, 224, 0.05);
  transform: translateY(-3px);
}
.btn--sm { padding: 0.6em 1.15em; font-size: var(--step--1); }

/* ---- Link -------------------------------------------------------------- */
.link {
  color: var(--accent-readable, var(--accent-violet));
  font-weight: var(--fw-medium);
  text-decoration: none;
  background-image: linear-gradient(currentColor, currentColor);
  background-size: 0% 1.5px;
  background-position: 0 100%;
  background-repeat: no-repeat;
  transition: background-size var(--dur-base) var(--ease-out);
  padding-bottom: 2px;
}
.link:hover { background-size: 100% 1.5px; }

/* Quiet closing line under a section's cards — a nudge, not a banner. */
.section-close {
  margin-top: var(--space-2xl);
  text-align: center;
  font-size: var(--step-0);
  color: var(--text-body);
}
.section-close .link { margin-left: 0.35em; }

/* ==========================================================================
   Cards — the workhorse. Detail lives in cards, not paragraphs.
   ========================================================================== */
.grid { display: grid; gap: var(--space-lg); }
.grid--4 { grid-template-columns: repeat(4, 1fr); }
.grid--3 { grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr); }
.grid--2 { grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr); }

/* The collapse lives here, beside the definition — not in the per-page CSS.
   It was previously only in about.css/contact.css, so index.html (which loads
   home.css instead) kept three columns at 375px and pushed the page to 480px
   wide. Any page using .grid gets the responsive behaviour by definition. */
@media (max-width: 61.99em) {
  .grid--4, .grid--3 { grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr); }
}
@media (max-width: 47.99em) {
  .grid--4, .grid--3, .grid--2 { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
}

.card {
  background: var(--surface);
  border: 1px solid rgba(26, 22, 80, 0.09);
  border-radius: var(--radius-lg);
  padding: var(--space-xl);
  box-shadow: var(--shadow-sm);
  transition: transform var(--dur-base) var(--ease-out),
              box-shadow var(--dur-base) var(--ease-out),
              border-color var(--dur-base) var(--ease-out);
}
.card:hover {
  transform: translateY(-8px);
  box-shadow: var(--shadow-lg);
  border-color: rgba(91, 63, 224, 0.28);
}

/* Tinted rounded square holding a line icon. */
.card__icon {
  width: 3.5rem; height: 3.5rem;
  display: grid; place-items: center;
  background: var(--bg-tint);
  border: 1px solid rgba(91, 63, 224, 0.12);
  border-radius: var(--radius-md);
  margin-bottom: var(--space-lg);
  transition: transform var(--dur-base) var(--ease-out);
}
.card:hover .card__icon { transform: scale(1.08) rotate(-3deg); }
.card__icon img { width: 60%; height: 60%; }
.card h3 { font-size: var(--step-1); margin-bottom: var(--space-xs); }
.card p { color: var(--text-body); font-size: var(--step--1); line-height: 1.6; }

/* ==========================================================================
   Split — text one side, visual the other. This is the fix for a lone
   paragraph floating in the middle of a section with nothing beside it.
   ========================================================================== */
.split {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
  gap: clamp(2rem, 1rem + 4vw, 4rem);
  align-items: center;
}
.split h2 { font-size: var(--step-3); margin-bottom: var(--space-md); }
.split > * { min-width: 0; }
.split__copy p { color: var(--text-body); margin-bottom: var(--space-lg); }

/* Tick list — short scannable facts instead of a paragraph. */
.ticks { display: grid; gap: var(--space-sm); }
.ticks li {
  position: relative;
  padding-left: 2.25rem;
  font-weight: var(--fw-medium);
  color: var(--text-ink);
  line-height: 1.5;
}
.ticks li::before {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  left: 0; top: 0.15em;
  width: 1.5rem; height: 1.5rem;
  border-radius: 50%;
  background: var(--brand-gradient);
  /* tick drawn as a mask so it inherits the brand gradient rather than
     needing a second colour */
  -webkit-mask: url("data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 24 24'%3E%3Cpath d='M7 12.5l3.2 3.2L17 9' fill='none' stroke='%23000' stroke-width='2.4' stroke-linecap='round' stroke-linejoin='round'/%3E%3C/svg%3E") center / 100% no-repeat,
               linear-gradient(#000, #000);
  -webkit-mask-composite: xor;
          mask: url("data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 24 24'%3E%3Cpath d='M7 12.5l3.2 3.2L17 9' fill='none' stroke='%23000' stroke-width='2.4' stroke-linecap='round' stroke-linejoin='round'/%3E%3C/svg%3E") center / 100% no-repeat,
               linear-gradient(#000, #000);
          mask-composite: exclude;
}

@media (max-width: 47.99em) {
  .split { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
  .split__visual { order: -1; }
}

/* ==========================================================================
   Page hero — short, centred opener for About / Contact.
   ========================================================================== */
.page-hero {
  position: relative;
  isolation: isolate;
  overflow: hidden;
  background: var(--bg-dark);
  color: var(--text-on-dark-soft);
  text-align: center;
  padding-block: clamp(3rem, 2rem + 5vw, 5rem) clamp(2.5rem, 2rem + 4vw, 4rem);
}
.page-hero::before {
  content: "";
  position: absolute; inset: 0; z-index: -1;
  background:
    radial-gradient(34rem 20rem at 20% 0%, rgba(91, 63, 224, 0.3), transparent 62%),
    radial-gradient(28rem 18rem at 88% 10%, rgba(59, 130, 246, 0.2), transparent 60%);
}
.page-hero h1 { font-size: var(--step-4); color: var(--text-on-dark); margin-bottom: var(--space-md); }
.page-hero p {
  color: var(--text-on-dark-soft);
  font-size: var(--step-1);
  line-height: 1.5;
  max-width: 44ch;
  margin-inline: auto;
}
.page-hero .eyebrow { justify-content: center; }

/* ==========================================================================
   Logo disc — the mark always sits on a light ground.
   The artwork's own ink is deep navy/purple: even as a clean transparent
   cutout it measures ~1.6-2.7:1 on --bg-dark, i.e. invisible. The disc gives
   it the light ground it was drawn for, and means the original white PNG
   background never reads as a hard box.
   ========================================================================== */
.logo-disc {
  display: grid; place-items: center;
  aspect-ratio: 1;
  border-radius: 50%;
  background: radial-gradient(circle at 50% 42%, #FFFFFF 0%, #F5F4FF 72%, #E9E6FF 100%);
  flex: none;
}
.logo-disc img { width: 82%; height: 82%; object-fit: contain; }

/* ==========================================================================
   Nav
   ========================================================================== */
.nav {
  position: sticky; top: 0;
  z-index: var(--z-nav);
  background: rgba(13, 11, 33, 0.72);
  backdrop-filter: saturate(180%) blur(14px);
  -webkit-backdrop-filter: saturate(180%) blur(14px);
  border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(207, 201, 240, 0.10);
  transition: background-color var(--dur-base) var(--ease-out),
              border-color var(--dur-base) var(--ease-out);
}
.nav.is-scrolled {
  background: rgba(13, 11, 33, 0.94);
  border-bottom-color: rgba(207, 201, 240, 0.16);
}
.nav__inner {
  display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: space-between;
  gap: var(--space-md);
  min-height: var(--nav-height);
}
.nav__brand { display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: var(--space-sm); text-decoration: none; flex: none; }
.nav__wordmark {
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-weight: var(--fw-bold);
  font-size: var(--step-1);
  letter-spacing: var(--tracking-tight);
  color: var(--text-on-dark);
}
.nav__brand .logo-disc {
  width: 2.4rem;
  box-shadow: 0 0 0 1px rgba(207, 201, 240, 0.22), 0 2px 10px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.28);
  transition: box-shadow var(--dur-base) var(--ease-out), transform var(--dur-base) var(--ease-out);
}
.nav__brand:hover .logo-disc {
  transform: rotate(-8deg) scale(1.05);
  box-shadow: 0 0 0 1px rgba(167, 139, 250, 0.5), 0 4px 16px rgba(91, 63, 224, 0.4);
}

.nav__menu { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: clamp(var(--space-md), 2vw, var(--space-xl)); }
.nav__link {
  position: relative;
  color: var(--text-on-dark-soft);
  text-decoration: none;
  font-weight: var(--fw-medium);
  padding-block: var(--space-2xs);
  transition: color var(--dur-base) var(--ease-out);
}
.nav__link::after {
  content: "";
  position: absolute; left: 0; right: 0; bottom: -3px;
  height: 2px; border-radius: 2px;
  background: linear-gradient(90deg, var(--ring-gradient-from), var(--ring-gradient-to));
  transform: scaleX(0); transform-origin: left;
  transition: transform var(--dur-base) var(--ease-out);
}
.nav__link:hover { color: var(--text-on-dark); }
.nav__link:hover::after { transform: scaleX(1); }
.nav__link[aria-current="page"] { color: var(--text-on-dark); }
.nav__link[aria-current="page"]::after { transform: scaleX(1); }

.nav__toggle {
  display: none;
  align-items: center; justify-content: center;
  width: 2.75rem; height: 2.75rem;
  padding: 0;
  background: transparent;
  border: 1px solid rgba(207, 201, 240, 0.24);
  border-radius: var(--radius-sm);
  cursor: pointer; flex: none;
}
.nav__toggle:hover { border-color: rgba(207, 201, 240, 0.5); }
.nav__toggle-box { position: relative; width: 1.15rem; height: 0.75rem; }
.nav__toggle-bar {
  position: absolute; left: 0;
  width: 100%; height: 2px;
  border-radius: 2px;
  background: var(--text-on-dark);
  transition: transform var(--dur-base) var(--ease-out), opacity var(--dur-fast) var(--ease-out);
}
.nav__toggle-bar:nth-child(1) { top: 0; }
.nav__toggle-bar:nth-child(2) { top: 50%; transform: translateY(-50%); }
.nav__toggle-bar:nth-child(3) { bottom: 0; }
.nav__toggle[aria-expanded="true"] .nav__toggle-bar:nth-child(1) { transform: translateY(0.365rem) rotate(45deg); }
.nav__toggle[aria-expanded="true"] .nav__toggle-bar:nth-child(2) { opacity: 0; }
.nav__toggle[aria-expanded="true"] .nav__toggle-bar:nth-child(3) { transform: translateY(-0.365rem) rotate(-45deg); }

@media (max-width: 47.99em) {
  .nav__toggle { display: inline-flex; }
  .nav__menu {
    position: fixed;
    inset: var(--nav-height) 0 auto 0;
    z-index: var(--z-menu);
    flex-direction: column; align-items: stretch; gap: 0;
    padding: var(--space-md) var(--gutter) var(--space-xl);
    /* Solid, not translucent: the dropdown sits over the busy hero, and a
       near-opaque panel let bright content ghost through the links. */
    background: var(--bg-dark);
    backdrop-filter: blur(14px);
    -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(14px);
    border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(207, 201, 240, 0.14);
    opacity: 0; visibility: hidden;
    transform: translateY(-0.75rem);
    transition: opacity var(--dur-base) var(--ease-out),
                transform var(--dur-base) var(--ease-out),
                visibility 0s linear var(--dur-base);
  }
  .nav__menu[data-open="true"] {
    opacity: 1; visibility: visible; transform: translateY(0);
    transition-delay: 0s;
  }
  .nav__link { padding-block: var(--space-md); border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(207, 201, 240, 0.10); font-size: var(--step-1); }
  .nav__link::after { display: none; }
  .nav__menu .btn { margin-top: var(--space-lg); width: 100%; }
}

/* ==========================================================================
   Footer
   ========================================================================== */
.footer { background: var(--bg-dark); padding-block: var(--space-3xl) var(--space-xl); }
.footer__grid {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: 1.5fr 1fr 1fr;
  gap: var(--space-2xl);
  padding-bottom: var(--space-2xl);
}
.footer__brand { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: var(--space-sm); text-decoration: none; margin-bottom: var(--space-md); }
.footer__brand .logo-disc { width: 2.75rem; box-shadow: 0 0 0 1px rgba(207, 201, 240, 0.18); }
.footer__wordmark {
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-weight: var(--fw-bold);
  font-size: var(--step-1);
  color: var(--text-on-dark);
  letter-spacing: var(--tracking-tight);
}
.footer__blurb { color: var(--text-on-dark-muted); font-size: var(--step--1); max-width: 34ch; }
.footer__heading {
  font-family: var(--font-mono);
  font-size: var(--step--1);
  font-weight: var(--fw-medium);
  letter-spacing: var(--tracking-label);
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: var(--text-on-dark-muted);
  margin-bottom: var(--space-md);
}
.footer__list { display: grid; gap: var(--space-sm); }
.footer__list a {
  color: var(--text-on-dark-soft);
  text-decoration: none;
  transition: color var(--dur-base) var(--ease-out), transform var(--dur-base) var(--ease-out);
  display: inline-block;
}
.footer__list a:hover { color: var(--violet-on-dark); transform: translateX(3px); }
/* Round icon buttons: email + Instagram. Inline currentColor SVGs — the
   gradient icon files in assets/icons are dark ink and would vanish here. */
.footer__social { display: flex; gap: var(--space-sm); }
.footer__social-btn {
  display: grid; place-items: center;
  width: 2.75rem; height: 2.75rem;
  border-radius: 50%;
  color: var(--text-on-dark-soft);          /* 12.2:1 on --bg-dark */
  border: 1px solid rgba(207, 201, 240, 0.28);
  transition: color var(--dur-base) var(--ease-out),
              border-color var(--dur-base) var(--ease-out),
              background-color var(--dur-base) var(--ease-out),
              transform var(--dur-base) var(--ease-out);
}
.footer__social-btn svg { width: 1.25rem; height: 1.25rem; }
.footer__social-btn:hover {
  color: var(--text-on-dark);
  border-color: var(--violet-on-dark);
  background: rgba(167, 139, 250, 0.12);
  transform: translateY(-3px);
}

.footer__bottom {
  display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: space-between;
  gap: var(--space-md);
  padding-top: var(--space-lg);
  border-top: 1px solid rgba(207, 201, 240, 0.12);
  color: var(--text-on-dark-muted);
  font-size: var(--step--1);
  flex-wrap: wrap;
}
.footer__meaning .urdu {
  font-family: var(--font-urdu);
  font-size: 1.15em; line-height: 1;
  color: var(--text-on-dark-soft);
}

@media (max-width: 47.99em) {
  .footer__grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; gap: var(--space-xl); }
}

/* ==========================================================================
   The lit path — stations on one gradient line that draws itself in.
   Shared component: home's programme tracks and why-us's student benefits.
   Desktop: horizontal line through the middle row of a 3-column grid; text
   alternates above (s1, s3) and below (s2). Mobile: the line turns vertical
   down the left edge and stations hang off it.
   ========================================================================== */
.path {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
  grid-template-rows: auto 7.5rem auto;
  /* No column gap: the SVG spans the full row, so station markers only land
     exactly on the curve's 1/6, 3/6, 5/6 crossings when each column is exactly
     one third of the width. Text spacing comes from the blocks' own padding. */
  column-gap: 0;
  margin-top: var(--space-2xl);
}
.path__line {
  grid-area: 2 / 1 / 3 / 4;
  width: 100%;
  height: 100%;
  overflow: visible;
}
.path__track { fill: none; stroke: rgba(26, 22, 80, 0.10); stroke-width: 2; }
.path__stroke {
  fill: none;
  stroke-width: 2.5;
  stroke-linecap: round;
  filter: drop-shadow(0 1px 5px rgba(91, 63, 224, 0.35));
}
.path__marker {
  display: grid;
  place-items: center;
  align-self: center;
  justify-self: center;
  width: 4.25rem;
  height: 4.25rem;
  border-radius: 50%;
  background: var(--surface);
  border: 1px solid rgba(91, 63, 224, 0.22);
  box-shadow: 0 6px 18px rgba(26, 22, 80, 0.14), 0 0 0 6px rgba(245, 244, 255, 0.9);
  z-index: 1;
}
.path__marker img { width: 55%; height: 55%; }
.path__marker--s1 { grid-area: 2 / 1; }
.path__marker--s2 { grid-area: 2 / 2; }
.path__marker--s3 { grid-area: 2 / 3; }

.path__text {
  text-align: center;
  max-width: 30ch;
  justify-self: center;
  padding-inline: var(--space-md);
}
.path__text h3 { font-size: var(--step-1); margin-bottom: var(--space-xs); }
.path__text p { color: var(--text-body); font-size: var(--step--1); line-height: 1.6; }
.path__text--s1 { grid-area: 1 / 1; align-self: end; padding-bottom: var(--space-xs); }
.path__text--s2 { grid-area: 3 / 2; align-self: start; padding-top: var(--space-xs); }
.path__text--s3 { grid-area: 1 / 3; align-self: end; padding-bottom: var(--space-xs); }

/* Draw-in choreography (only when JS will add .is-visible). */
.js .path .path__stroke { stroke-dasharray: 1; stroke-dashoffset: 1; }
.js .path.is-visible .path__stroke {
  animation: path-draw 1.8s var(--ease-in-out) 0.2s forwards;
}
@keyframes path-draw { from { stroke-dashoffset: 1; } to { stroke-dashoffset: 0; } }

.js .path .path__marker { opacity: 0; transform: scale(0.4); }
.js .path.is-visible .path__marker { animation: station-pop 0.55s var(--ease-out) forwards; }
.js .path.is-visible .path__marker--s1 { animation-delay: 0.45s; }
.js .path.is-visible .path__marker--s2 { animation-delay: 0.95s; }
.js .path.is-visible .path__marker--s3 { animation-delay: 1.45s; }
@keyframes station-pop {
  from { opacity: 0; transform: scale(0.4); }
  60%  { transform: scale(1.08); }
  to   { opacity: 1; transform: scale(1); }
}

.js .path .path__text { opacity: 0; transform: translateY(0.6rem); }
.js .path.is-visible .path__text { animation: text-in 0.6s var(--ease-out) forwards; }
.js .path.is-visible .path__text--s1 { animation-delay: 0.6s; }
.js .path.is-visible .path__text--s2 { animation-delay: 1.1s; }
.js .path.is-visible .path__text--s3 { animation-delay: 1.6s; }
@keyframes text-in {
  from { opacity: 0; transform: translateY(0.6rem); }
  to   { opacity: 1; transform: none; }
}

@media (max-width: 47.99em) {
  .path {
    position: relative;
    grid-template-columns: 3.5rem 1fr;
    grid-template-rows: none;
    grid-auto-rows: auto;
    column-gap: var(--space-md);
    row-gap: var(--space-xl);
  }
  .path__line { display: none; }
  .path::before {
    content: "";
    position: absolute;
    left: calc(1.75rem - 1px);
    top: 1.25rem;
    bottom: 1.25rem;
    width: 2px;
    border-radius: 2px;
    background: linear-gradient(180deg, var(--brand-blue), var(--brand-purple));
  }
  .path__marker { width: 3.5rem; height: 3.5rem; align-self: start; }
  .path__marker--s1 { grid-area: 1 / 1; }
  .path__text--s1   { grid-area: 1 / 2; }
  .path__marker--s2 { grid-area: 2 / 1; }
  .path__text--s2   { grid-area: 2 / 2; }
  .path__marker--s3 { grid-area: 3 / 1; }
  .path__text--s3   { grid-area: 3 / 2; }
  .path__text {
    text-align: left;
    justify-self: start;
    align-self: center;
    max-width: none;
    padding: 0;
  }
}

/* ==========================================================================
   The lit rail — the path's vertical sibling, at every viewport width.
   A gradient line runs down the left; stations hang off it. Used where a
   top-to-bottom read suits the content (why-us's "what it asks of you").
   ========================================================================== */
.rail {
  position: relative;
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: 4.25rem 1fr;
  column-gap: var(--space-lg);
  row-gap: var(--space-2xl);
  max-width: 44rem;
  margin-inline: auto;
  margin-top: var(--space-2xl);
}
.rail::before {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  left: calc(2.125rem - 1px);
  top: 1.5rem;
  bottom: 1.5rem;
  width: 2px;
  border-radius: 2px;
  background: linear-gradient(180deg, var(--brand-blue), var(--brand-purple));
  opacity: 0.85;
}
.rail__marker {
  display: grid;
  place-items: center;
  width: 4.25rem;
  height: 4.25rem;
  border-radius: 50%;
  background: var(--surface);
  border: 1px solid rgba(91, 63, 224, 0.22);
  box-shadow: 0 6px 18px rgba(26, 22, 80, 0.14), 0 0 0 6px rgba(245, 244, 255, 0.9);
  z-index: 1;
  align-self: start;
}
.rail__marker img { width: 55%; height: 55%; }
.rail__text { align-self: center; min-width: 0; }
.rail__text h3 { font-size: var(--step-1); margin-bottom: var(--space-xs); }
.rail__text p { color: var(--text-body); font-size: var(--step--1); line-height: 1.6; max-width: 52ch; }

@media (max-width: 35.99em) {
  .rail { grid-template-columns: 3.5rem 1fr; column-gap: var(--space-md); }
  .rail::before { left: calc(1.75rem - 1px); }
  .rail__marker { width: 3.5rem; height: 3.5rem; }
}

/* ==========================================================================
   Constellation — faint node-and-line network on the dark heroes.
   Decorative only (aria-hidden): reads as "AI", and as the brand's own story
   of points of light in the dark. Kept at whisper opacity so text contrast
   on the dark backgrounds is untouched.
   ========================================================================== */
.constellation {
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  width: 100%;
  height: 100%;
  z-index: -1;               /* above the glow (later in DOM), below content */
  pointer-events: none;
}
.constellation__lines path {
  fill: none;
  stroke-width: 1;
  opacity: 0.22;
}
.constellation__dots circle { opacity: 0.55; }
/* Page heroes are shorter and text-centred — go even quieter there. */
.constellation--soft { opacity: 0.65; }

/* A few dots breathe slowly, out of phase — alive, not busy. */
.tw { animation: twinkle 4.2s var(--ease-in-out) infinite alternate; }
.tw--2 { animation-duration: 5.4s; animation-delay: 0.9s; }
.tw--3 { animation-duration: 6.2s; animation-delay: 1.7s; }
@keyframes twinkle {
  from { opacity: 0.2; }
  to   { opacity: 0.9; }
}

/* ==========================================================================
   Motion
   ========================================================================== */

/* Scroll reveal — a longer travel than before so the movement actually reads. */
.reveal {
  opacity: 0;
  transform: translateY(1.9rem);
  transition: opacity var(--dur-reveal) var(--ease-out),
              transform var(--dur-reveal) var(--ease-out);
  transition-delay: var(--reveal-delay, 0ms);
}
.reveal.is-visible { opacity: 1; transform: none; }
.no-js .reveal { opacity: 1; transform: none; }

/* Stagger helpers — siblings arrive in sequence rather than all at once. */
.d1 { --reveal-delay: 90ms; }
.d2 { --reveal-delay: 180ms; }
.d3 { --reveal-delay: 270ms; }
.d4 { --reveal-delay: 360ms; }

/* Ambient float. Used on the hero mark and its pills so the page is never
   completely static — this is the "it feels alive" motion, distinct from the
   one-off hero load sequence. */
@keyframes floaty {
  0%, 100% { transform: translateY(0); }
  50%      { transform: translateY(-12px); }
}

/* ==========================================================================
   Reduced motion — content still arrives; only movement is dropped.
   ========================================================================== */
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
  html { scroll-behavior: auto; }
  *, *::before, *::after {
    animation-duration: 0.01ms !important;
    animation-iteration-count: 1 !important;
    transition-duration: 0.01ms !important;
    transition-delay: 0ms !important;
    scroll-behavior: auto !important;
  }
  .reveal { opacity: 1; transform: none; }
  .btn:hover, .card:hover, .nav__brand:hover .logo-disc, .footer__list a:hover,
  .footer__social-btn:hover { transform: none; }
  .card:hover .card__icon { transform: none; }
  .tw { animation: none; opacity: 0.55; }
}