/* Better Story homepage — generated from homepage-v3.html. Scoped: loads only on the home template. */
  /* Astra's Customizer typography forces uppercase on all headings site-wide;
     the design calls for normal sentence case throughout the homepage. */
  h1, h2, h3, h4, h5, h6 { text-transform: none; }

  :root {
    --ink: #1d1512;
    --ink-2: #241a15;
    --ochre: #C25F30;
    --ochre-bright: #D97A45;
    --white: #FFFFFF;
    --bone: #F6F1E6;
    --cream: #EADFC4;
    --trust-blue: #556B8B;
    --serif: 'Fraunces', Georgia, serif;
    --sans: 'Inter', -apple-system, sans-serif;
  }
  * { box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0; padding: 0; }
  html { scroll-behavior: smooth; }
  body {
    font-family: var(--sans);
    background: var(--white);
    color: var(--ink);
    line-height: 1.65;
    overflow-x: hidden;
  }
  ::selection { background: var(--ochre); color: var(--white); }
  .wrap { max-width: 1140px; margin: 0 auto; padding: 0 48px; }

  /* grain overlay for dark sections */
  .grained { position: relative; }
  .grained::after {
    content: "";
    position: absolute;
    inset: 0;
    pointer-events: none;
    opacity: 0.5;
    background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' width='200' height='200'%3E%3Cfilter id='n'%3E%3CfeTurbulence type='fractalNoise' baseFrequency='0.9' numOctaves='2'/%3E%3CfeColorMatrix values='0 0 0 0 0.6 0 0 0 0 0.45 0 0 0 0 0.35 0 0 0 0.05 0'/%3E%3C/filter%3E%3Crect width='200' height='200' filter='url(%23n)'/%3E%3C/svg%3E");
  }

  /* ============ HERO: YOU ARE HERE ============ */
  .hero {
    min-height: 100vh;
    background: var(--bone);
    color: var(--ink);
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    position: relative;
    overflow: hidden;
    padding: 140px 0 60px;
  }
  .hero .center {
    position: relative;
    z-index: 2;
    width: 100%;
    max-width: 920px;
    margin: 0 auto;
    padding: 0 48px;
    text-align: center;
  }
  .museum-label {
    display: inline-block;
    border: 1px solid rgba(29,21,18,0.3);
    padding: 10px 22px;
    font-size: 11px;
    font-weight: 600;
    letter-spacing: 0.24em;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    color: #5a4c40;
    margin-bottom: 44px;
  }
  h1 {
    font-family: var(--serif);
    font-weight: 400;
    font-size: clamp(2.25rem, 3.4vw, 3.4rem);
    line-height: 1.14;
    color: var(--ink);
    letter-spacing: -0.01em;
    margin-bottom: 24px;
  }
  h1 em { font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; color: var(--ochre); }
  .hero-sub {
    font-size: 16.5px;
    color: #1d1512;
    max-width: 520px;
    margin: 0 auto 10px;
  }
  .journey { margin: 34px 0 26px; }
  .journey svg { width: 100%; height: auto; display: block; overflow: visible; }
  .journey-path {
    fill: none;
    stroke: var(--ink);
    stroke-width: 2.5;
    stroke-linecap: round;
  }
  .bs-js .journey-path {
    stroke-dasharray: 1;
    stroke-dashoffset: 1;
    transition: stroke-dashoffset 2.4s cubic-bezier(0.5, 0, 0.3, 1) 0.5s;
  }
  .hero.drawn .journey-path { stroke-dashoffset: 0; }
  .act-label {
    font-family: var(--sans);
    font-size: 11px;
    font-weight: 600;
    letter-spacing: 0.2em;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    fill: #8a7a6a;
  }
  .act-name { font-family: var(--serif); font-size: 19px; font-weight: 400; fill: var(--ink); }
  .climax-label { font-family: var(--serif); font-style: italic; font-size: 15px; fill: #8a7a6a; }
  .you-marker { opacity: 0; transition: opacity 0.7s ease 2.8s; }
  .hero.drawn .you-marker { opacity: 1; }
  .you-dot { fill: var(--ochre); }
  .you-pulse {
    fill: none;
    stroke: var(--ochre);
    stroke-width: 2;
    transform-origin: center;
    transform-box: fill-box;
    animation: pulse-ring 2.4s ease-out infinite 3.2s;
    opacity: 0;
  }
  @keyframes pulse-ring {
    0% { transform: scale(0.4); opacity: 0.8; }
    80% { transform: scale(2.6); opacity: 0; }
    100% { opacity: 0; }
  }
  .you-label { font-family: var(--serif); font-style: italic; font-size: 17px; fill: var(--ochre); }
  .cta {
    display: inline-block;
    font-size: 13px;
    letter-spacing: 0.08em;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    font-weight: 700;
    color: var(--white);
    background: var(--terracotta, var(--ochre));
    padding: 16px 30px;
    border-radius: 3px;
    text-decoration: none;
    transition: transform 0.25s, background 0.25s, color 0.25s, border-color 0.25s;
  }
  .cta:hover { transform: translateY(-2px); }
  .cta.outline {
    background: transparent;
    border: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.35);
    color: var(--white);
    margin-left: 14px;
  }
  .hero .cta.outline {

    color: var(--ink);
    border-color: rgba(29,21,18,0.3);
  }
  .hero .cta.outline:hover { color: var(--ochre); border-color: var(--ochre); }

  /* ============ REVEALS ============ */
  .bs-js .reveal {
    opacity: 0;
    transform: translateY(28px);
    transition: opacity 0.9s ease, transform 0.9s ease;
  }
  .bs-js .reveal.visible { opacity: 1; transform: none; }
  .reveal.d1 { transition-delay: 0.12s; }
  .reveal.d2 { transition-delay: 0.24s; }
  .reveal.d3 { transition-delay: 0.36s; }

  /* ============ NOT A KNOWLEDGE PROBLEM ============ */
  .lens {
    background: var(--white);
    padding: 150px 0 140px;
    position: relative;
    overflow: hidden;
  }
  .nkp-grid {
    display: grid;
    grid-template-columns: 1.15fr 0.85fr;
    gap: 90px;
    align-items: center;
    position: relative;
  }
  .ghost-glyph {
    position: absolute;
    top: -90px;
    left: -70px;
    width: 380px;
    height: 380px;
    user-select: none;
    pointer-events: none;
  }
  .ghost-glyph svg { width: 100%; height: 100%; }
  .ghost-glyph path {
    fill: none;
    stroke: rgba(29,21,18,0.055);
    stroke-width: 7;
    stroke-linecap: round;
  }
  .nkp-copy .sec-eyebrow { margin-bottom: 24px; }
  .nkp-copy h2 {
    font-family: var(--serif);
    font-weight: 300;
    font-size: clamp(2.3rem, 3.6vw, 3.3rem);
    line-height: 1.1;
    letter-spacing: -0.015em;
    color: var(--ink);
    margin-bottom: 26px;
  }
  .nkp-copy h2 em {
    font-style: italic;
    font-weight: 400;
    color: var(--ochre);
  }
  .nkp-deck {
    font-family: var(--serif);
    font-weight: 300;
    font-size: 22px;
    line-height: 1.45;
    color: var(--ink);
    max-width: 460px;
    margin-bottom: 34px;
  }
  .nkp-body {
    font-size: 15.5px;
    color: #4a3d33;
    max-width: 490px;
  }
  .nkp-body p + p { margin-top: 16px; }
  .nkp-body p:first-child::first-letter {
    font-family: var(--serif);
    font-weight: 400;
    font-size: 3.4em;
    line-height: 0.82;
    float: left;
    padding: 6px 10px 0 0;
    color: var(--ochre);
  }
  .scribble {
    background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' width='80' height='8' viewBox='0 0 80 8'%3E%3Cpath d='M 1 5 C 20 2 30 7.5 50 4 C 62 2 72 6 79 4' fill='none' stroke='%23C25F30' stroke-width='2.2' stroke-linecap='round'/%3E%3C/svg%3E");
    background-repeat: repeat-x;
    background-position: 0 100%;
    background-size: 80px 8px;
    padding-bottom: 7px;
  }
  /* the pile of programs */
  .pile {
    display: flex;
    flex-direction: column;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: flex-end;
    padding: 10px 0 0;
  }
  .spine {
    font-family: var(--serif);
    font-style: italic;
    font-weight: 400;
    font-size: 19px;
    color: var(--ink);
    border: 1.5px solid rgba(29,21,18,0.22);
    background: var(--bone);
    border-radius: 3px;
    padding: 15px 26px;
    text-align: center;
    box-shadow: 0 1px 0 rgba(29,21,18,0.08);
    margin-top: -2px;
    white-space: nowrap;
  }
  .spine s { text-decoration-color: rgba(194,95,48,0.55); text-decoration-thickness: 2px; }
  .pile .spine.reveal { transform: translateY(-34px); }
  .pile .spine.reveal.visible { transform: none; }
  .pile-caption {
    margin-top: 26px;
    font-size: 11px;
    font-weight: 600;
    letter-spacing: 0.2em;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    color: #8a7a6a;
    text-align: center;
  }
  @media (max-width: 900px) {
    .nkp-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; gap: 60px; }
    .ghost-glyph { width: 240px; height: 240px; top: -60px; left: -30px; }
    .spine { white-space: normal; }
  }

  /* ============ shared section headings (restored) ============ */
  .sec-eyebrow {
    font-size: 11.5px;
    font-weight: 600;
    letter-spacing: 0.22em;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    color: var(--ochre);
    margin-bottom: 20px;
  }
  .sec-title {
    font-family: var(--serif);
    font-weight: 300;
    font-size: clamp(1.8rem, 2.8vw, 2.5rem);
    line-height: 1.22;
    max-width: 620px;
    margin-bottom: 24px;
    letter-spacing: -0.01em;
  }
  .sec-intro {
    max-width: 520px;
    font-size: 15.5px;
    color: #5a4c40;
    margin-bottom: 70px;
  }

  /* ============ PROBLEMS AS POINTERS ============ */
  .pointers {
    background: var(--bone);
    padding: 150px 0;
    overflow: hidden;
  }
  .pointers .wrap { position: relative; }
  .pt-head {
    position: relative;
    margin-bottom: 46px;
  }
  .ghost-arrow {
    position: absolute;
    top: 60px;
    right: 0;
    width: 300px;
    user-select: none;
    pointer-events: none;
  }
  .ghost-arrow svg { width: 100%; height: auto; }
  .pt-head h2 {
    font-family: var(--serif);
    font-weight: 300;
    font-size: clamp(2.3rem, 3.6vw, 3.3rem);
    line-height: 1.1;
    letter-spacing: -0.015em;
    color: var(--ink);
    margin-bottom: 26px;
  }
  .pt-head h2 em { font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; color: var(--ochre); }
  .pt-deck {
    font-family: var(--serif);
    font-weight: 300;
    font-size: 22px;
    line-height: 1.45;
    color: var(--ink);
    max-width: 440px;
  }
  .pt-lead {
    font-size: 15.5px;
    color: #4a3d33;
    max-width: 660px;
    margin-bottom: 44px;
  }
  .pt-lead p:first-child::first-letter {
    font-family: var(--serif);
    font-weight: 400;
    font-size: 3.4em;
    line-height: 0.82;
    float: left;
    padding: 6px 10px 0 0;
    color: var(--ochre);
  }
  .stuck-quotes { max-width: 660px; margin-bottom: 44px; }
  .stuck-quote {
    border-left: 3px solid var(--ochre);
    padding: 6px 0 6px 28px;
  }
  .stuck-quote + .stuck-quote { margin-top: 26px; }
  .stuck-quote p {
    font-family: var(--serif);
    font-weight: 300;
    font-style: italic;
    font-size: 19px;
    line-height: 1.55;
    color: var(--ink);
  }
  .stuck-quote .who {
    font-style: normal;
    font-family: var(--sans);
    font-size: 12px;
    font-weight: 700;
    letter-spacing: 0.16em;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    color: var(--ochre);
    margin-right: 6px;
  }
  .pt-close {
    font-size: 15.5px;
    color: #4a3d33;
    max-width: 620px;
    margin-bottom: 110px;
  }
  .pt-help {
    display: grid;
    grid-template-columns: 1.05fr 0.95fr;
    gap: 80px;
    align-items: start;
    margin-bottom: 56px;
  }
  .pt-help-copy p.help-p {
    font-family: var(--serif);
    font-weight: 300;
    font-size: 22px;
    line-height: 1.45;
    color: var(--ink);
  }
  .pt-help-copy p.help-p + p.help-p { margin-top: 18px; }
  .arcword { font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; color: var(--ochre); }
  .pt-help-aside {
    align-self: end;
    display: flex;
    align-items: flex-end;
    justify-content: flex-end;
    gap: 20px;
  }
  .pt-help-aside .note {
    font-family: var(--serif);
    font-style: italic;
    font-weight: 300;
    font-size: 17px;
    color: #8a7a6a;
    text-align: right;
    max-width: 300px;
    padding-bottom: 8px;
    padding-right: 36px;
  }
  .pointer-arrow { width: 150px; flex-shrink: 0; }
  .pointer-arrow svg { width: 100%; height: auto; display: block; }
  .pointer-arrow path {
    fill: none;
    stroke: var(--ochre);
    stroke-width: 4.5;
    stroke-linecap: round;
    stroke-linejoin: round;
  }
  /* the offer */
  .offer {
    background:
      radial-gradient(ellipse 500px 320px at 82% 15%, rgba(194,95,48,0.16), transparent 60%),
      linear-gradient(170deg, #251b16 0%, #1d1512 70%, #191009 100%);
    border-radius: 6px;
    padding: 62px 64px 58px;
    color: var(--bone);
    display: grid;
    grid-template-columns: 1.35fr 0.65fr;
    gap: 50px;
    align-items: center;
  }
  .offer-chip {
    display: inline-block;
    background: #556B8B;
    color: var(--white);
    font-size: 11px;
    font-weight: 700;
    letter-spacing: 0.14em;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    padding: 7px 14px;
    border-radius: 3px;
    margin-bottom: 26px;
  }
  .offer h3 {
    font-family: var(--serif);
    font-weight: 300;
    font-size: clamp(2.1rem, 3vw, 2.8rem);
    line-height: 1.05;
    margin-bottom: 12px;
    color: var(--bone);
    letter-spacing: -0.01em;
  }
  .offer .offer-sub {
    font-family: var(--serif);
    font-style: italic;
    font-weight: 300;
    font-size: 20px;
    color: var(--ochre-bright);
    margin-bottom: 24px;
  }
  .offer .offer-body {
    font-size: 14.5px;
    line-height: 1.65;
    color: rgba(246,241,230,0.75);
    max-width: 520px;
    margin-bottom: 34px;
  }
  .offer .cta { background: var(--ochre); }
  .offer .cta:hover { background: var(--ochre-bright); }
  .offer-support {
    margin-top: 14px;
    font-size: 12.5px;
    color: rgba(246,241,230,0.55);
  }
  .arc-mini {
    display: flex;
    flex-direction: column;
    gap: 22px;
    justify-self: center;
  }
  .arc-mini .step { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 16px; }
  .arc-mini .ring {
    width: 52px; height: 52px;
    border: 1.5px solid rgba(217,122,69,0.6);
    border-radius: 50%;
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: center;
    font-family: var(--serif);
    font-size: 22px;
    color: var(--ochre-bright);
    flex-shrink: 0;
  }
  .arc-mini .step span {
    font-size: 12px;
    font-weight: 600;
    letter-spacing: 0.14em;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    color: rgba(246,241,230,0.65);
  }
  @media (max-width: 1100px) {
    .ghost-arrow { display: none; }
  }
  @media (max-width: 900px) {
    .pt-help { grid-template-columns: 1fr; gap: 40px; }
    .pt-help-aside { justify-content: flex-start; }
    .offer { grid-template-columns: 1fr; padding: 44px 30px; }
    .arc-mini { flex-direction: row; justify-self: start; }
    .arc-mini .step span { display: none; }
    .ghost-arrow { display: none; }
  }

  /* ============ ABOUT ============ */
  .about {
    background: var(--white);
    padding: 140px 0;
    overflow: hidden;
  }
  .about-grid {
    display: grid;
    grid-template-columns: 1.05fr 0.95fr;
    gap: 90px;
    align-items: center;
    position: relative;
  }
  .ghost-hand {
    position: absolute;
    top: -60px;
    left: -70px;
    width: 300px;
    user-select: none;
    pointer-events: none;
  }
  .ghost-hand svg { width: 100%; height: auto; }
  .about-copy h2 {
    font-family: var(--serif);
    font-weight: 300;
    font-size: clamp(2.3rem, 3.6vw, 3.3rem);
    line-height: 1.1;
    letter-spacing: -0.015em;
    color: var(--ink);
    margin-bottom: 26px;
  }
  .about-copy h2 em { font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; color: var(--ochre); }
  .about-body {
    font-size: 15.5px;
    color: #4a3d33;
    max-width: 470px;
    margin-bottom: 36px;
  }
  .about-cta {
    display: inline-flex;
    align-items: center;
    gap: 10px;
  }
  .about-cta .arrow-ink {
    width: 44px;
    flex-shrink: 0;
  }
  .about-cta .arrow-ink svg { width: 100%; height: auto; display: block; }
  .about-cta .arrow-ink path {
    fill: none;
    stroke: var(--ochre);
    stroke-width: 3;
    stroke-linecap: round;
    stroke-linejoin: round;
  }
  .portrait {
    position: relative;
    justify-self: end;
    width: 100%;
    max-width: 440px;
  }
  .portrait::before {
    content: "";
    position: absolute;
    inset: 18px -18px -18px 18px;
    background: var(--cream);
    border-radius: 4px;
    z-index: 0;
  }
  .portrait::after {
    content: "";
    position: absolute;
    top: -14px;
    left: -14px;
    width: 74px;
    height: 74px;
    border-top: 3px solid var(--ochre);
    border-left: 3px solid var(--ochre);
    border-radius: 2px 0 0 0;
    z-index: 2;
  }
  .portrait img {
    position: relative;
    z-index: 1;
    display: block;
    width: 100%;
    aspect-ratio: 5 / 6;
    object-fit: cover;
    object-position: center top;
    border-radius: 4px;
    background: var(--bone);
    filter: saturate(0.92) sepia(0.06);
  }
  .portrait-caption {
    position: relative;
    z-index: 1;
    margin-top: 34px;
    display: flex;
    justify-content: space-between;
    align-items: baseline;
  }
  .portrait-caption .name {
    font-family: var(--serif);
    font-size: 17px;
    color: var(--ink);
  }
  .portrait-caption .cred {
    font-size: 11px;
    font-weight: 600;
    letter-spacing: 0.18em;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    color: #8a7a6a;
  }
  @media (max-width: 900px) {
    .about-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; gap: 56px; }
    .portrait { justify-self: start; }
    .ghost-hand { display: none; }
  }

  /* ============ WHERE STORY LIVES ============ */
  .lives {
    background: var(--white);
    padding: 130px 0;
  }
  .lives-grid {
    display: grid;
    grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
    gap: 56px;
    margin-top: 70px;
  }
  .live-item { }
  .live-glyph {
    height: 74px;
    display: flex;
    align-items: flex-end;
    margin-bottom: 26px;
  }
  .live-glyph svg { height: 100%; width: auto; }
  .live-item h3 {
    font-family: var(--serif);
    font-weight: 400;
    font-size: 22px;
    margin-bottom: 12px;
  }
  .live-item h3 span {
    font-size: 12px;
    font-family: var(--sans);
    font-weight: 600;
    letter-spacing: 0.18em;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    color: var(--ochre);
    display: block;
    margin-bottom: 10px;
  }
  .live-item p { font-size: 14.5px; color: #5a4c40; }

  /* ============ THE WELL ============ */
  .well {
    background:
      radial-gradient(ellipse 700px 500px at 75% 8%, rgba(120,70,40,0.22), transparent 60%),
      linear-gradient(180deg, #241a15 0%, #1d1512 30%, #120c09 100%);
    background-color: var(--ink);
    padding: 140px 0 150px;
    color: var(--bone);
    position: relative;
    overflow: hidden;
  }
  .well-grid {
    display: grid;
    grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
    gap: 80px;
    position: relative;
    z-index: 2;
  }
  .well-copy { position: sticky; top: 120px; align-self: start; }
  .well-copy .sec-title { color: var(--bone); }
  .well-copy .sec-intro { color: rgba(246,241,230,0.68); margin-bottom: 28px; }
  .well-copy .hint {
    font-size: 12px;
    letter-spacing: 0.14em;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    color: rgba(246,241,230,0.35);
  }
  .well-shaft {
    position: relative;
    padding: 30px 0 10px;
  }
  .well-rim {
    width: 100%;
    margin-bottom: 34px;
  }
  .well-names {
    display: flex;
    flex-direction: column;
    align-items: center;
    gap: 20px;
    position: relative;
  }
  .well-names::before {
    content: "";
    position: absolute;
    top: 0; bottom: 0;
    left: 50%;
    width: 1px;
    background: linear-gradient(180deg, rgba(194,95,48,0.5), rgba(194,95,48,0.04));
  }
  .arch {
    position: relative;
    z-index: 2;
    font-family: var(--serif);
    font-weight: 300;
    background: none;
    border: none;
    color: var(--bone);
    cursor: default;
    padding: 4px 18px;
    transition: opacity 0.35s, transform 0.35s, filter 0.35s, color 0.35s;
    line-height: 1.3;
  }
  .arch .tag {
    display: block;
    font-family: var(--sans);
    font-size: 10.5px;
    font-weight: 600;
    letter-spacing: 0.18em;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    color: var(--ochre-bright);
    opacity: 0;
    transform: translateY(-4px);
    transition: opacity 0.35s, transform 0.35s;
    margin-top: 2px;
    text-align: center;
  }
  .arch:hover { color: var(--ochre-bright); }
  .arch:hover .tag { opacity: 1; transform: none; }

  /* ============ A.R.C. ============ */
  .arc {
    background: var(--white);
    padding: 130px 0 140px;
  }
  .arc-line { margin: 60px 0 26px; }
  .arc-line svg { width: 100%; height: auto; display: block; }
  .arc-grid {
    display: grid;
    grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
    gap: 56px;
  }
  .arc-item { text-align: center; }
  .arc-item h3 {
    font-family: var(--serif);
    font-weight: 400;
    font-size: 22px;
    margin-bottom: 12px;
  }
  .arc-item h3 b {
    font-weight: 500;
    color: var(--ochre);
  }
  .arc-item p { font-size: 14.5px; color: #5a4c40; }

  /* ============ CLOSING ============ */
  .closing {
    background: var(--cream);
    padding: 130px 0;
  }
  .closing-grid {
    display: grid;
    grid-template-columns: 1.2fr 1fr;
    gap: 60px;
    align-items: center;
  }
  .closing h2 {
    font-family: var(--serif);
    font-weight: 300;
    font-size: clamp(1.9rem, 3vw, 2.6rem);
    line-height: 1.2;
    margin-bottom: 22px;
    letter-spacing: -0.01em;
  }
  .closing p {
    font-size: 15.5px;
    color: #5a4c40;
    max-width: 460px;
    margin-bottom: 36px;
  }
  .closing .btn-primary { background: var(--ink); }
  .closing .btn-primary:hover { background: #38281f; }
  .closing-glyph { text-align: center; }
  .closing-glyph svg { width: 300px; height: auto; }

  /* ============ FEATURED WRITING ============ */
  .featured {
    background: var(--bone);
    padding: 140px 0 130px;
  }
  .fw-head {
    display: grid;
    grid-template-columns: 1fr auto;
    align-items: end;
    gap: 40px;
    margin-bottom: 64px;
  }
  .fw-head h2 {
    font-family: var(--serif);
    font-weight: 300;
    font-size: clamp(1.9rem, 3vw, 2.7rem);
    line-height: 1.2;
    letter-spacing: -0.01em;
    max-width: 720px;
  }
  .fw-head h2 em { font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; color: var(--ochre); }
  .fw-note {
    font-family: var(--serif);
    font-style: italic;
    font-weight: 300;
    font-size: 16px;
    color: #8a7a6a;
    padding-bottom: 8px;
    white-space: nowrap;
  }
  .fw-grid {
    display: grid;
    grid-template-columns: 1.15fr 0.85fr;
    gap: 26px;
    align-items: stretch;
  }
  .fw-side { display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 26px; }

  .fw-card {
    display: block;
    background: var(--white);
    border: 1px solid rgba(29,21,18,0.12);
    border-radius: 5px;
    overflow: hidden;
    text-decoration: none;
    color: inherit;
    position: relative;
    transition: transform 0.3s, box-shadow 0.3s;
  }
  .fw-card:hover {
    transform: translateY(-4px);
    box-shadow: 0 14px 34px rgba(29,21,18,0.10);
  }
  .fw-num {
    position: absolute;
    top: 18px;
    left: 20px;
    z-index: 2;
    font-family: var(--serif);
    font-style: italic;
    font-size: 14px;
    color: var(--white);
    background: rgba(29,21,18,0.55);
    padding: 4px 12px;
    border-radius: 20px;
    backdrop-filter: blur(3px);
  }
  .fw-img {
    position: relative;
    background: var(--cream);
    overflow: hidden;
  }
  .fw-lead .fw-img { aspect-ratio: 16 / 9; }
  .fw-small .fw-img { aspect-ratio: 16 / 6.5; }
  .fw-img img {
    position: absolute;
    inset: 0;
    width: 100%;
    height: 100%;
    object-fit: cover;
    filter: saturate(0.9) sepia(0.05);
    transition: transform 0.5s ease;
  }
  .fw-card:hover .fw-img img { transform: scale(1.035); }
  /* glyph placeholder shows until a featured image is set */
  .fw-glyph {
    position: absolute;
    inset: 0;
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: center;
  }
  .fw-glyph svg { height: 62%; width: auto; opacity: 0.9; }
  .fw-body { padding: 30px 34px 30px; }
  .fw-lead .fw-body { padding: 36px 40px 38px; }
  .fw-tag {
    font-size: 11px;
    font-weight: 700;
    letter-spacing: 0.18em;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    color: var(--ochre);
    margin-bottom: 14px;
  }
  .fw-card h3 {
    font-family: var(--serif);
    font-weight: 400;
    font-size: 21px;
    line-height: 1.28;
    letter-spacing: -0.005em;
    margin-bottom: 12px;
    transition: color 0.25s;
  }
  .fw-lead h3 { font-size: 27px; }
  .fw-card:hover h3 { color: var(--ochre); }
  .fw-card p.fw-excerpt {
    font-size: 14px;
    color: #5a4c40;
    margin-bottom: 22px;
  }
  .fw-lead p.fw-excerpt { font-size: 15px; max-width: 520px; }
  .fw-read {
    display: inline-flex;
    align-items: center;
    gap: 8px;
    font-size: 12px;
    font-weight: 700;
    letter-spacing: 0.1em;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    color: var(--ink);
    transition: gap 0.25s, color 0.25s;
  }
  .fw-card:hover .fw-read { gap: 14px; color: var(--ochre); }
  .fw-read svg { width: 13px; height: 13px; }
  .fw-foot {
    margin-top: 56px;
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    gap: 18px;
  }
  .fw-foot .arrow-ink { width: 44px; }
  .fw-foot .arrow-ink svg { width: 100%; height: auto; display: block; }
  .fw-foot .arrow-ink path {
    fill: none;
    stroke: var(--ochre);
    stroke-width: 3;
    stroke-linecap: round;
    stroke-linejoin: round;
  }
  .fw-row {
    display: grid;
    grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
    gap: 26px;
    margin-top: 26px;
  }
  .fw-mini .fw-img { aspect-ratio: 16 / 5.5; }
  .fw-mini .fw-body { padding: 26px 30px 28px; }
  .fw-mini h3 { font-size: 19px; }
  .fw-mini p.fw-excerpt { font-size: 13.5px; margin-bottom: 18px; }
  .fw-mini .fw-glyph svg { height: 70%; }
  @media (max-width: 900px) {
    .fw-row { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
  }
  @media (max-width: 900px) {
    .fw-head { grid-template-columns: 1fr; gap: 10px; }
    .fw-note { white-space: normal; }
    .fw-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
  }

  /* ============ THE WEEKLY LETTER ============ */
  .letter .torch-glow {
    position: absolute;
    width: 700px;
    height: 700px;
    border-radius: 50%;
    pointer-events: none;
    z-index: 1;
    background: radial-gradient(circle, rgba(217,122,69,0.16) 0%, rgba(170,95,52,0.07) 40%, transparent 68%);
    transform: translate(-50%, -50%);
    left: 50%;
    top: 40%;
  }
  .letter .wall-lit {
    position: absolute;
    inset: 0;
    z-index: 0;
    pointer-events: none;
    -webkit-mask-image: radial-gradient(circle 260px at var(--mx, -500px) var(--my, -500px), rgba(0,0,0,0.9) 0%, rgba(0,0,0,0.35) 55%, transparent 78%);
    mask-image: radial-gradient(circle 260px at var(--mx, -500px) var(--my, -500px), rgba(0,0,0,0.9) 0%, rgba(0,0,0,0.35) 55%, transparent 78%);
  }
  .letter .wall-lit svg { width: 100%; height: 100%; }

  .letter {
    background:
      radial-gradient(ellipse 800px 500px at 50% 20%, rgba(120,70,40,0.25), transparent 65%),
      linear-gradient(180deg, #251b16 0%, #1d1512 65%, #191009 100%);
    padding: 130px 0 140px;
    color: var(--bone);
    position: relative;
    overflow: hidden;
  }
  .letter-center {
    position: relative;
    z-index: 2;
    max-width: 680px;
    margin: 0 auto;
    text-align: center;
    padding: 0 48px;
  }
  .letter .sec-eyebrow {
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: center;
    gap: 14px;
    color: var(--ochre-bright);
  }
  .letter .sec-eyebrow::before, .letter .sec-eyebrow::after {
    content: "";
    width: 34px;
    height: 1px;
    background: var(--ochre);
  }
  .letter h2 {
    font-family: var(--serif);
    font-weight: 300;
    font-size: clamp(2.1rem, 3.4vw, 3rem);
    line-height: 1.15;
    letter-spacing: -0.01em;
    color: var(--bone);
    margin-bottom: 20px;
  }
  .letter h2 em { font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; color: var(--ochre-bright); }
  .letter-sub {
    font-size: 16px;
    color: rgba(246,241,230,0.75);
    max-width: 500px;
    margin: 0 auto 40px;
  }
  .letter-form {
    display: flex;
    gap: 12px;
    max-width: 520px;
    margin: 0 auto 18px;
  }
  .letter-form input {
    flex: 1;
    font-family: var(--sans);
    font-size: 15px;
    color: var(--ink);
    background: var(--bone);
    border: none;
    border-radius: 3px;
    padding: 17px 22px;
    outline: none;
  }
  .letter-form input::placeholder { color: #8a7a6a; }
  .letter-form input:focus { box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px var(--ochre); }
  .letter-form button {
    font-family: var(--sans);
    font-size: 12.5px;
    font-weight: 700;
    letter-spacing: 0.1em;
    text-transform: uppercase;
    color: var(--white);
    background: var(--ochre);
    border: none;
    border-radius: 3px;
    padding: 17px 30px;
    cursor: pointer;
    transition: background 0.25s, transform 0.25s;
    white-space: nowrap;
  }
  .letter-form button:hover { background: var(--ochre-bright); transform: translateY(-2px); }
  .letter-small {
    font-size: 12.5px;
    color: rgba(246,241,230,0.45);
  }
  .letter-status {
    font-size: 13.5px;
    color: var(--ochre);
    min-height: 1em;
    margin: -8px auto 10px;
    max-width: 520px;
    opacity: 0;
    transform: translateY(-4px);
    transition: opacity 0.35s ease, transform 0.35s ease;
  }
  .letter-status.visible {
    opacity: 1;
    transform: translateY(0);
  }
  @media (max-width: 700px) {
    .letter-form { flex-direction: column; }
  }


  @media (max-width: 900px) {
    .wrap { padding: 0 26px; }
    nav .wrap { padding: 18px 26px; }
    .nav-links { display: none; }
    .hero-grid, .well-grid, .closing-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
    .act-row, .lives-grid, .arc-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
    .well-copy { position: static; }
    .btn-ghost { margin-left: 0; margin-top: 12px; }
  }
  @media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
    .reveal, .draw { transition: none; opacity: 1; transform: none; stroke-dashoffset: 0; }
    .scroll-cue { animation: none; }
  }
  .journey-legend { display: none; }
  @media (max-width: 700px) {
    .act-name, .act-label, .climax-label { display: none; }
    .you-label { font-size: 40px; }
    .journey-path { stroke-width: 4; }
    .journey-legend {
      display: flex;
      justify-content: space-between;
      margin: 18px 0 28px;
      gap: 10px;
    }
    .journey-legend div { flex: 1; }
    .journey-legend div:nth-child(1) { text-align: left; }
    .journey-legend div:nth-child(2) { text-align: center; }
    .journey-legend div:nth-child(3) { text-align: right; }
    .journey-legend .jl-act {
      display: block;
      font-size: 10px;
      font-weight: 700;
      letter-spacing: 0.18em;
      text-transform: uppercase;
      color: #8a7a6a;
      margin-bottom: 3px;
    }
    .journey-legend .jl-name {
      font-family: var(--serif);
      font-size: 15px;
      color: var(--ink);
    }
  }

/* ================================================================
   HOMEPAGE COLOR SCHEME — Blue & Clay Duet (applied 2026-07-29)
   Matches New Direction/homepage-v3.html and the locked homepage
   sequence in better-story-design-system.md:
   cream hero (blue arc, ochre marker) / original NKP + Pointers /
   white About with trust-blue portrait frame / deep-blue Featured
   Writing / original letter + footer. Sage is banned site-wide.
   ================================================================ */

/* HERO: cream ground, blue story arc with the ochre marker */
.hero { background: var(--cream); }
.hero h1 em { font-weight: 500; }
.journey-path { stroke: #556B8B; stroke-width: 3; }
.act-label, .climax-label { fill: #7A889E; }

/* ABOUT: white ground, trust-blue portrait frame */
.about { background: var(--white); }
.portrait::before { background: #D5DFEC; }
.portrait::after { border-color: #556B8B; }

/* FEATURED WRITING: deep trust-blue ground, white cards */
.featured { background: #46597B; }
.featured .sec-eyebrow { color: #F0C9A8; }
.fw-head h2 { color: #fff; }
.fw-head h2 em { color: #F0C9A8; }
.fw-note { color: rgba(255,255,255,0.6); }
.fw-card { border-color: transparent; }
.fw-card:hover { box-shadow: 0 16px 38px rgba(0,0,0,0.3); }
.fw-num { background: #556B8B; }
.fw-foot .cta.outline { color: #fff !important; border-color: rgba(255,255,255,0.45) !important; }
.fw-foot .arrow-ink path { stroke: #F0C9A8; }
/* ============ FOUR S PRINCIPLES (added 2026-08-06) ============ */
.principles {
  background:
    radial-gradient(ellipse 1000px 520px at 50% 0%, rgba(116,140,172,0.22), transparent 62%),
    linear-gradient(180deg, #2C3A4D 0%, #253140 55%, #1F2937 100%);
  padding: 140px 0 130px;
}
.principles .sec-eyebrow { color: var(--ochre-bright); }
.pr-head {
  text-align: center;
  max-width: 720px;
  margin: 0 auto 72px;
}
.pr-head h2 {
  font-family: var(--serif);
  font-weight: 300;
  font-size: clamp(1.9rem, 3vw, 2.7rem);
  line-height: 1.2;
  letter-spacing: -0.01em;
  color: #fff;
}
.pr-head h2 em { font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; color: var(--ochre-bright); }
.pr-deck {
  font-size: 17px;
  color: rgba(255,255,255,0.75);
  margin-top: 20px;
}
.pr-grid {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(4, 1fr);
  gap: 22px;
  margin-bottom: 64px;
}
.pr-card {
  background: var(--white);
  border-radius: 8px;
  padding: 34px 28px 30px;
  box-shadow: 0 10px 28px rgba(0,0,0,0.22);
}
.pr-glyph { margin-bottom: 18px; }
.pr-glyph svg {
  width: 28px;
  height: 28px;
  stroke: var(--ochre);
  stroke-width: 1.8;
  fill: none;
}
.pr-card h3 {
  font-family: var(--serif);
  font-weight: 400;
  font-size: 21px;
  color: var(--ink);
  margin-bottom: 6px;
}
.pr-q {
  font-family: var(--serif);
  font-style: italic;
  color: var(--ochre);
  font-size: 15.5px;
  margin-bottom: 12px;
}
.pr-body { font-size: 14.5px; color: #4a3d33; }
.pr-pull {
  max-width: 780px;
  margin: 0 auto 56px;
  text-align: center;
  font-family: var(--serif);
  font-weight: 300;
  font-size: clamp(1.45rem, 2.6vw, 2.05rem);
  line-height: 1.42;
  color: #fff;
}
.pr-pull .scribble { padding-bottom: 9px; }
.pr-close {
  font-size: 16px;
  color: rgba(255,255,255,0.85);
  max-width: 660px;
  margin: 0 auto;
  text-align: center;
}
.pr-close p + p { margin-top: 16px; }
@media (max-width: 1100px) {
  .pr-grid { grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr); }
}
@media (max-width: 700px) {
  .pr-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
}
/* ---------- mobile hero heading fix (added 2026-08-07) ---------- */
@media (max-width: 700px) {
  .hero .center { padding: 0 26px; }
  .hero h1 {
    font-size: clamp(1.55rem, 7.5vw, 2.1rem);
    line-height: 1.18;
  }
}
/* hero CTA note (added 2026-08-07) */
.hero .cta-note {
  font-family: var(--serif);
  font-style: italic;
  font-size: 14px;
  color: #8a7a6a;
  margin-top: 16px;
}

/* ---------- hero arc v1b: figure in the loop + mobile redraw (added 2026-08-07) ---------- */
.journey .loop-path { fill: none; stroke: #556B8B; stroke-width: 2.4; stroke-linecap: round; opacity: 0.85; }
.journey .figure { fill: none; stroke: var(--ochre); stroke-width: 2.4; stroke-linecap: round; }
.journey .figure-head { fill: var(--ochre); }
.journey svg.journey-mobile { display: none; }
.journey-mobile .you-label { font-size: 17px; }
.journey-mobile .figure { stroke-width: 3; }
.journey-mobile .loop-path { stroke-width: 3; }
@media (max-width: 700px) {
  .journey svg.journey-desktop { display: none; }
  .journey svg.journey-mobile { display: block; }
  .hero .journey { margin: 8px 0 18px; }
  .hero-sub { margin-bottom: 0; }
}
/* ---------- work with me section (added 2026-08-07) ---------- */
.wwm {
  background: var(--bone);
  padding: 140px 0 120px;
}
.wwm-head {
  text-align: center;
  max-width: 720px;
  margin: 0 auto 64px;
}
.wwm-head h2 {
  font-family: var(--serif);
  font-weight: 300;
  font-size: clamp(1.9rem, 3vw, 2.7rem);
  line-height: 1.2;
  letter-spacing: -0.01em;
  color: var(--ink);
}
.wwm-head h2 em { font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; color: var(--ochre); }
.wwm-deck {
  font-family: var(--serif);
  font-size: 19px;
  line-height: 1.5;
  color: #4a3d33;
  margin-top: 18px;
}
.wwm-grid {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
  gap: 24px;
}
.wwm-card {
  position: relative;
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  background: var(--white);
  border: 1px solid rgba(29,21,18,0.12);
  border-top: 4px solid var(--ochre);
  border-radius: 5px;
  padding: 32px 30px 30px;
  transition: transform 0.25s ease, box-shadow 0.25s ease;
}
.wwm-card:hover {
  transform: translateY(-4px);
  box-shadow: 0 16px 34px rgba(96,58,32,0.14);
}
.wwm-top {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: space-between;
  gap: 10px;
  margin-bottom: 22px;
}
.wwm-kicker {
  font-size: 11px;
  font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: 0.18em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: #8a7a6a;
}
.wwm-chip {
  background: #556B8B;
  color: #fff;
  font-size: 10.5px;
  font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: 0.1em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  padding: 5px 10px;
  border-radius: 3px;
  white-space: nowrap;
}
.wwm-card h3 {
  font-family: var(--serif);
  font-weight: 400;
  font-size: 23px;
  line-height: 1.25;
  color: var(--ink);
  margin-bottom: 4px;
}
.wwm-sub {
  font-family: var(--serif);
  font-style: italic;
  font-size: 15px;
  color: var(--ochre);
  margin-bottom: 16px;
}
.wwm-body {
  font-size: 14.5px;
  line-height: 1.65;
  color: #4a3d33;
  margin-bottom: 26px;
  flex-grow: 1;
}
.wwm-card .cta { align-self: flex-start; }
.wwm-note {
  text-align: center;
  font-size: 14px;
  color: #8a7a6a;
  margin-top: 44px;
}
.wwm-note a { color: var(--ochre); text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(194,95,48,0.4); }
.wwm-note a:hover { border-bottom-color: var(--ochre); }
@media (max-width: 1000px) {
  .wwm-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; max-width: 520px; margin: 0 auto; }
}
/* WWM buttons: inverted hover (added 2026-08-07) */
.wwm .cta { border: 1px solid var(--ochre); }
.wwm .cta:hover { background: #fff; color: var(--ochre); }

/* ---- Compass rose, Four S's section (added 2026-08-07) ---- */
.compass-wrap { width: min(330px, 80vw); margin: 0 auto 70px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; }
.compass-wrap svg { width: 100%; height: auto; overflow: visible; display: block; }
.compass-ring { fill: none; stroke: rgba(246,241,230,0.5); stroke-width: 2; }
.compass-tick { stroke: rgba(246,241,230,0.35); stroke-width: 2; stroke-linecap: round; }
.compass-point { fill: none; stroke: rgba(246,241,230,0.85); stroke-width: 2; stroke-linejoin: round; }
.compass-point.north { stroke: #D97A45; fill: rgba(217,122,69,0.16); }
.compass-label { font-family: var(--sans); font-size: 13px; font-weight: 600; letter-spacing: 0.16em; text-transform: uppercase; fill: rgba(246,241,230,0.9); }
.compass-label.star { fill: #F0C9A8; }
.compass-needle { transform-origin: 130px 130px; }
.principles.compass-armed .compass-needle { animation: needleSettle 2.8s cubic-bezier(0.3, 0.1, 0.25, 1) forwards; }
@keyframes needleSettle {
  0%   { transform: rotate(0deg); }
  55%  { transform: rotate(940deg); }
  74%  { transform: rotate(862deg); }
  88%  { transform: rotate(912deg); }
  100% { transform: rotate(900deg); }
}
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
  .principles.compass-armed .compass-needle { animation: none; transform: rotate(180deg); }
}