/* ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
   Ndotonic About — standalone cinematic author platform page (v2)
   ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ */

.about-body {
  margin: 0;
  min-height: 100vh;
  overflow-x: hidden;
  font-family: "DM Sans", system-ui, sans-serif;
  background: #060807;
  color: #e8ece9;
  padding-top: 0;
}

/* ── Global atmosphere (aligned with landing page brightness) ── */
.ab-page-bg {
  position: fixed;
  inset: 0;
  z-index: 0;
  background:
    radial-gradient(ellipse 120% 80% at 10% -20%, rgba(201, 162, 39, 0.09), transparent 50%),
    radial-gradient(ellipse 90% 70% at 100% 30%, rgba(42, 61, 50, 0.55), transparent 55%),
    radial-gradient(circle at 50% 100%, rgba(201, 162, 39, 0.07), transparent 45%),
    #060807;
}

.ab-page-bg::after {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  opacity: 0.35;
  background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg viewBox='0 0 256 256' xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%3E%3Cfilter id='n'%3E%3CfeTurbulence type='fractalNoise' baseFrequency='0.85' numOctaves='4' stitchTiles='stitch'/%3E%3CfeColorMatrix type='saturate' values='0'/%3E%3C/filter%3E%3Crect width='100%25' height='100%25' pointer-events='none' filter='url(%23n)' opacity='0.55'/%3E%3C/svg%3E");
  pointer-events: none;
}

.ab-scanline {
  position: fixed;
  inset: 0;
  z-index: 1;
  pointer-events: none;
  opacity: 0.4;
  background: repeating-linear-gradient(0deg, transparent, transparent 2px, rgba(0,0,0,0.03) 2px, rgba(0,0,0,0.03) 4px);
}

.ab-mesh {
  position: fixed;
  inset: -30%;
  z-index: 0;
  pointer-events: none;
  opacity: 0.14;
  background: conic-gradient(from 180deg at 50% 50%, rgba(201,162,39,0.1), transparent 25%, rgba(42,90,68,0.14), transparent 50%, rgba(201,162,39,0.08), transparent 75%);
  animation: ab-mesh-spin 40s linear infinite;
}

/* ── Header (landing parity) ── */
.ab-header {
  position: fixed;
  top: 0;
  left: 0;
  right: 0;
  z-index: 200;
  height: 4.25rem;
  padding: 0 clamp(1rem, 4vw, 2.5rem);
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: 1fr auto 1fr;
  align-items: center;
  background: rgba(6, 8, 7, 0.72);
  backdrop-filter: blur(14px);
  -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(14px);
  border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(42, 61, 50, 0.35);
}

.ab-nav { display: flex; gap: clamp(0.75rem, 2vw, 1.5rem); }

.ab-nav a {
  color: #7a8982;
  text-decoration: none;
  font-size: 0.78rem;
  font-weight: 600;
  letter-spacing: 0.08em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  transition: color 0.2s ease;
}

.ab-nav a:hover { color: #e8ece9; }

.ab-wordmark {
  font-family: "Syne", sans-serif;
  font-weight: 800;
  font-size: 0.95rem;
  letter-spacing: 0.22em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: #e8ece9;
  text-decoration: none;
  justify-self: center;
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  line-height: 0;
}

.ab-wordmark img,
.ab-wordmark-img {
  height: 2.25rem;
  width: auto;
  max-width: min(40vw, 9.5rem);
  object-fit: contain;
  border-radius: 0;
  box-shadow: none;
  background: transparent;
  transition: transform 0.2s ease, filter 0.2s ease;
}

.ab-wordmark:hover img,
.ab-wordmark:hover .ab-wordmark-img { transform: scale(1.03); filter: brightness(1.06); }

.ab-header a:focus-visible,
.ab-menu-btn:focus-visible {
  outline: 2px solid var(--ab-bronze, #c9a227);
  outline-offset: 3px;
  border-radius: 6px;
}

.ab-nav-right {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: flex-end;
  gap: 0.75rem;
}

.ab-header-cta {
  display: inline-flex;
  padding: 0.55rem 1.15rem;
  font-size: 0.68rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: 0.14em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  text-decoration: none;
  color: #0a0b0a !important;
  background: #c9a227;
  border-radius: 2px;
  box-shadow: 0 0 0 1px rgba(201,162,39,0.45), 0 12px 40px rgba(201,162,39,0.14);
  transition: transform 0.2s ease, background 0.2s ease;
}

.ab-header-cta:hover {
  background: #e0bc3a;
  transform: translateY(-1px);
  color: #0a0b0a !important;
}

.ab-menu-btn {
  display: none;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: 5px;
  padding: 10px;
  background: none;
  border: none;
  cursor: pointer;
}

.ab-menu-btn span {
  display: block;
  width: 22px;
  height: 2px;
  background: #e8ece9;
}

.ab-mobile-nav {
  display: none;
  position: fixed;
  top: 4.25rem;
  left: 0;
  right: 0;
  z-index: 199;
  flex-direction: column;
  background: #0c0f0e;
  border-bottom: 1px solid #2a3d32;
  padding: 0.5rem 0;
  box-shadow: 0 24px 48px rgba(0,0,0,0.5);
}

.ab-mobile-nav.is-open { display: flex; }

.ab-mobile-nav a {
  padding: 1rem 1.5rem;
  color: #e8ece9;
  text-decoration: none;
  font-weight: 600;
  border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(42,61,50,0.4);
}

/* ── Page shell ── */
.about-page {
  --ab-bronze: #c9a227;
  --ab-gold: #e0bc3a;
  --ab-muted: #7a8982;
  --ab-elevated: rgba(12, 15, 14, 0.72);
  --ab-max: 1180px;
  position: relative;
  z-index: 10;
  padding-top: clamp(1.5rem, 4vw, 2.5rem);
}

.about-wrap {
  width: min(100% - 2rem, var(--ab-max));
  margin-inline: auto;
}

/* ── Hero enter animations ── */
.ab-enter {
  opacity: 0;
  transform: translateY(24px);
  animation: ab-rise 0.85s cubic-bezier(0.22, 1, 0.36, 1) forwards;
}

.ab-enter-1 { animation-delay: 0.05s; }
.ab-enter-2 { animation-delay: 0.15s; }
.ab-enter-3 { animation-delay: 0.25s; }
.ab-enter-4 { animation-delay: 0.35s; }
.ab-enter-5 { animation-delay: 0.45s; }

/* ── Hero ── */
.about-hero {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  align-items: stretch;
  padding: clamp(0.5rem, 2vw, 1rem) 0 clamp(1.5rem, 4vw, 2rem);
}

.about-hero-grid {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: 1fr;
  gap: 0;
  align-items: start;
  width: 100%;
  max-width: 42rem;
}

.about-hero-sub {
  margin: 1rem 0 0;
  max-width: 34rem;
  font-size: clamp(1rem, 2.2vw, 1.2rem);
  line-height: 1.6;
  color: var(--ab-muted, #8a9890);
}

.about-hero-actions {
  display: flex;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
  gap: 0.75rem;
  margin-top: 1.75rem;
}

.about-cta {
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 0.5rem;
  padding: 0.85rem 1.5rem;
  font-size: 0.9rem;
  font-weight: 600;
  letter-spacing: 0.02em;
  text-transform: none;
  text-decoration: none;
  border-radius: 4px;
  position: relative;
  z-index: 1;
  isolation: isolate;
  transition: transform 0.2s ease, background 0.2s ease, border-color 0.2s ease, color 0.2s ease, box-shadow 0.2s ease;
}

.about-cta i { font-size: 0.85em; transition: transform 0.2s ease; }
.about-cta:hover i { transform: translateX(3px); }

.about-cta--primary {
  color: #060807 !important;
  -webkit-text-fill-color: #060807;
  background-color: #c9a227;
  background-image: none;
  border: 1px solid rgba(10, 11, 10, 0.15);
  box-shadow: 0 0 0 1px rgba(201,162,39,0.35), 0 10px 28px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.35);
}

.about-cta--primary:hover {
  color: #060807 !important;
  -webkit-text-fill-color: #060807;
  background-color: #e0bc3a;
  border-color: rgba(10, 11, 10, 0.12);
  transform: translateY(-1px);
  box-shadow: 0 0 0 1px rgba(224,188,58,0.45), 0 14px 36px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4);
}

.about-cta--secondary {
  color: #e8ece9 !important;
  -webkit-text-fill-color: #e8ece9;
  background: rgba(6, 8, 7, 0.72);
  border: 1px solid rgba(201,162,39,0.4);
}

.about-cta--secondary:hover {
  color: #fff !important;
  -webkit-text-fill-color: #fff;
  background: rgba(201,162,39,0.1);
  border-color: rgba(201,162,39,0.7);
  transform: translateY(-1px);
}

.about-cta:focus-visible {
  outline: 2px solid var(--ab-gold, #e0bc3a);
  outline-offset: 3px;
}

.about-eyebrow {
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 0.65rem;
  margin: 0 0 1.25rem;
  padding: 0.35rem 0.85rem 0.35rem 0.5rem;
  border-radius: 999px;
  border: 1px solid rgba(201,162,39,0.35);
  background: rgba(201,162,39,0.08);
  font-size: 0.72rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: 0.16em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: var(--ab-gold);
}

.about-eyebrow-dot {
  width: 8px;
  height: 8px;
  border-radius: 50%;
  background: var(--ab-gold);
  box-shadow: 0 0 12px rgba(201,162,39,0.5);
  animation: ab-pulse 2s ease-in-out infinite;
}

.about-headline {
  font-family: "Syne", sans-serif;
  font-weight: 800;
  font-size: clamp(2.75rem, 8vw, 5.25rem);
  line-height: 0.92;
  letter-spacing: -0.035em;
  margin: 0 0 0.5rem;
}

.about-headline em {
  font-style: normal;
  background: linear-gradient(135deg, #e0bc3a 0%, #fff6d0 40%, #c9a227 80%);
  -webkit-background-clip: text;
  background-clip: text;
  color: transparent;
  filter: drop-shadow(0 0 48px rgba(201,162,39,0.3));
}

.about-lede {
  max-width: 34rem;
  margin: 0 0 2rem;
  font-size: clamp(1.05rem, 2.1vw, 1.3rem);
  line-height: 1.65;
  color: var(--ab-muted);
}

.about-lede strong,
.about-intro-panel strong {
  color: #e0bc3a;
  font-weight: 600;
}

.about-hero-cta {
  display: flex;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
  gap: 0.75rem;
  margin-bottom: 2.5rem;
}

.about-btn {
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  gap: 0.5rem;
  padding: 0.9rem 1.6rem;
  border-radius: 4px;
  font-size: 0.76rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: 0.12em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  text-decoration: none;
  transition: transform 0.2s ease, box-shadow 0.2s ease, background 0.2s ease, border-color 0.2s ease;
  position: relative;
  overflow: hidden;
}

.about-btn--primary {
  color: #0a0b0a !important;
  background: linear-gradient(135deg, #c9a227, #e0bc3a);
  border: 1px solid rgba(224,188,58,0.6);
  box-shadow: 0 0 0 1px rgba(201,162,39,0.3), 0 20px 56px rgba(201,162,39,0.2);
}

.about-btn--primary:hover {
  transform: translateY(-2px);
  box-shadow: 0 0 0 1px rgba(224,188,58,0.5), 0 28px 64px rgba(201,162,39,0.32);
  color: #0a0b0a !important;
}

.about-btn--shimmer::after {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  background: linear-gradient(105deg, transparent 40%, rgba(255,255,255,0.35) 50%, transparent 60%);
  transform: translateX(-120%);
  animation: ab-shimmer 3.5s ease-in-out infinite;
}

.about-btn--ghost {
  color: #e8ece9 !important;
  background: rgba(255,255,255,0.04);
  border: 1px solid rgba(42,61,50,0.55);
  backdrop-filter: blur(8px);
}

.about-btn--ghost:hover {
  border-color: rgba(201,162,39,0.45);
  background: rgba(201,162,39,0.08);
  transform: translateY(-2px);
  color: #fff !important;
}

.about-metrics {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
  gap: 1rem;
  margin: 0;
  padding: 1.25rem 0 0;
  border-top: 1px solid rgba(201,162,39,0.15);
}

.about-metric dt {
  font-size: 0.65rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: 0.16em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: var(--ab-bronze);
  margin-bottom: 0.25rem;
}

.about-metric dd {
  margin: 0;
  font-size: 0.88rem;
  font-weight: 600;
  color: #c8d4cc;
}

/* ── Product showcase mockup ── */
.about-hero-visual { position: relative; perspective: 1200px; }

.about-showcase {
  position: relative;
  width: min(100%, 460px);
  margin-inline: auto;
  transform: rotateY(-8deg) rotateX(4deg);
  transition: transform 0.5s cubic-bezier(0.22, 1, 0.36, 1);
}

.about-showcase:hover {
  transform: rotateY(-2deg) rotateX(1deg);
}

.about-showcase-glow {
  position: absolute;
  inset: -20%;
  background: radial-gradient(circle, rgba(201,162,39,0.25), transparent 65%);
  filter: blur(40px);
  z-index: 0;
  animation: ab-pulse-glow 4s ease-in-out infinite;
}

.about-showcase-frame {
  position: relative;
  z-index: 1;
  border-radius: 16px;
  border: 1px solid rgba(201,162,39,0.28);
  background: rgba(8,10,9,0.95);
  box-shadow: 0 40px 100px rgba(0,0,0,0.55), 0 0 0 1px rgba(255,255,255,0.04) inset;
  overflow: hidden;
  animation: ab-float 7s ease-in-out infinite;
}

.about-showcase-bar {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 0.75rem;
  padding: 0.65rem 1rem;
  background: rgba(0,0,0,0.45);
  border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(201,162,39,0.12);
  font-size: 0.68rem;
  color: var(--ab-muted);
}

.about-showcase-dots { display: flex; gap: 5px; }
.about-showcase-dots i {
  display: block;
  width: 9px;
  height: 9px;
  border-radius: 50%;
  background: rgba(255,255,255,0.12);
}
.about-showcase-dots i:first-child { background: #c9a227; }

.about-showcase-url { flex: 1; text-align: center; letter-spacing: 0.04em; }

.about-showcase-live {
  padding: 0.15rem 0.5rem;
  border-radius: 999px;
  font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: 0.08em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: #7dd3a8;
  background: rgba(42,90,68,0.4);
  border: 1px solid rgba(92,122,110,0.5);
}

.about-showcase-body {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: 100px 1fr;
  gap: 1rem;
  padding: 1.25rem;
}

.about-showcase-cover {
  border-radius: 8px;
  overflow: hidden;
  box-shadow: 0 12px 32px rgba(0,0,0,0.45);
}

.about-showcase-cover img {
  display: block;
  width: 100%;
  height: 140px;
  object-fit: cover;
}

.about-showcase-editor {
  font-size: 0.82rem;
  line-height: 1.55;
  color: #b8c4bc;
}

.about-showcase-chapter {
  font-family: "Syne", sans-serif;
  font-size: 0.95rem;
  color: #fff;
  margin: 0 0 0.65rem;
}

.about-showcase-editor p { margin: 0 0 0.5rem; }
.about-showcase-muted { color: var(--ab-muted); font-style: italic; }

.about-ai-toolbar {
  display: flex;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
  gap: 0.35rem;
  margin-top: 0.85rem;
}

.about-ai-toolbar span {
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 0.3rem;
  padding: 0.25rem 0.5rem;
  border-radius: 6px;
  font-size: 0.62rem;
  font-weight: 600;
  letter-spacing: 0.04em;
  color: #9aa8a0;
  background: rgba(255,255,255,0.04);
  border: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.06);
}

.about-ai-toolbar span.is-active {
  color: #d8f0e4;
  background: rgba(42,90,68,0.4);
  border-color: rgba(92,122,110,0.5);
}

.about-ai-toolbar span.is-active i { color: #7dd3a8; }

/* ── Ticker ── */
.about-hero .about-ticker {
  margin-top: clamp(0.5rem, 1.5vw, 0.85rem);
}

.about-ticker {
  border-block: 1px solid rgba(201,162,39,0.12);
  background: rgba(12, 15, 14, 0.55);
  backdrop-filter: blur(12px);
  -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(12px);
  overflow: hidden;
  mask-image: linear-gradient(90deg, transparent, black 8%, black 92%, transparent);
}

.about-ticker-track {
  display: flex;
  width: max-content;
  animation: ab-marquee 26s linear infinite;
}

.about-ticker-group {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 2.5rem;
  padding: 0.9rem 1.25rem;
  white-space: nowrap;
}

.about-ticker-item {
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 0.55rem;
  font-size: 0.72rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: 0.18em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  text-decoration: none;
  color: var(--ab-muted);
  transition: color 0.2s ease, transform 0.2s ease;
}

a.about-ticker-item:hover,
a.about-ticker-item:focus-visible {
  color: var(--ab-gold);
  transform: translateY(-1px);
}

a.about-ticker-item:focus-visible {
  outline: 2px solid var(--ab-gold);
  outline-offset: 3px;
  border-radius: 4px;
}

.about-ticker-item i { color: var(--ab-bronze); font-size: 0.65rem; }
.about-ticker-sep { width: 4px; height: 4px; border-radius: 50%; background: var(--ab-bronze); opacity: 0.5; }

/* ── Intro ── */
.about-intro { padding: clamp(2.5rem, 6vw, 4rem) 0; }

.about-intro-panel {
  position: relative;
  padding: clamp(1.75rem, 4vw, 2.75rem) clamp(1.5rem, 4vw, 3rem);
  border-radius: 20px;
  text-align: center;
  background: rgba(12,15,14,0.72);
  backdrop-filter: blur(16px);
  border: 1px solid rgba(201,162,39,0.18);
}

.about-intro-panel::before {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  border-radius: inherit;
  padding: 1px;
  background: linear-gradient(135deg, rgba(201,162,39,0.5), transparent 45%, rgba(201,162,39,0.12));
  -webkit-mask: linear-gradient(#fff 0 0) content-box, linear-gradient(#fff 0 0);
  mask: linear-gradient(#fff 0 0) content-box, linear-gradient(#fff 0 0);
  -webkit-mask-composite: xor;
  mask-composite: exclude;
  pointer-events: none;
}

.about-intro-panel p {
  position: relative;
  margin: 0 auto;
  max-width: 52rem;
  font-size: clamp(1.05rem, 2vw, 1.2rem);
  line-height: 1.75;
  color: #c8d4cc;
}

/* ── Why Ndotonic bento ── */
.about-why { padding: clamp(1rem, 4vw, 2rem) 0 clamp(3rem, 7vw, 5rem); }

.about-section-head { text-align: center; margin-bottom: clamp(2rem, 5vw, 3.5rem); }

.about-section-kicker {
  display: inline-block;
  margin-bottom: 0.75rem;
  font-size: 0.72rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: 0.2em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: var(--ab-bronze);
}

.about-section-title {
  font-family: "Syne", sans-serif;
  font-size: clamp(2rem, 4.5vw, 3.25rem);
  font-weight: 800;
  letter-spacing: -0.02em;
  margin: 0 0 0.75rem;
}

.about-section-sub {
  max-width: 36rem;
  margin: 0 auto;
  color: var(--ab-muted);
  font-size: 1.05rem;
  line-height: 1.6;
}

.about-bento {
  display: grid;
  gap: 1.25rem;
  grid-template-columns: 1fr;
}

@media (min-width: 720px) {
  .about-bento { grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr); }
  .about-bento-card--featured { grid-column: 1 / -1; }
}

@media (min-width: 1024px) {
  .about-bento {
    grid-template-columns: repeat(12, 1fr);
    grid-template-rows: repeat(2, minmax(230px, auto));
  }
  .about-bento-card--discover { grid-column: span 6; }
  .about-bento-card--promote { grid-column: span 6; }
  .about-bento-card--featured { grid-column: span 7; }
  .about-bento-card--monetize { grid-column: span 5; }
}

.about-bento-card {
  position: relative;
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  min-height: 230px;
  padding: 1.75rem 1.65rem 1.5rem;
  border-radius: 18px;
  background: var(--ab-elevated);
  backdrop-filter: blur(16px);
  -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(16px);
  border: 1px solid rgba(201,162,39,0.14);
  overflow: hidden;
  transition: border-color 0.35s ease, box-shadow 0.35s ease;
  transform-style: preserve-3d;
}

.about-bento-card::before {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  background: radial-gradient(circle at var(--mx,50%) var(--my,0%), rgba(201,162,39,0.14), transparent 55%);
  opacity: 0;
  transition: opacity 0.35s ease;
}

.about-bento-card:hover::before { opacity: 1; }
.about-bento-card:hover {
  border-color: rgba(201,162,39,0.4);
  box-shadow: 0 32px 80px rgba(0,0,0,0.45);
}

.about-bento-card--featured {
  background: linear-gradient(145deg, rgba(201,162,39,0.12) 0%, transparent 50%), var(--ab-elevated);
}

.about-bento-glow-ring {
  position: absolute;
  inset: -2px;
  border-radius: 20px;
  background: conic-gradient(from var(--ring-angle,0deg), #c9a227, transparent 30%, #e0bc3a, transparent 60%, #c9a227);
  opacity: 0.55;
  z-index: 0;
  animation: ab-ring-spin 6s linear infinite;
}

.about-bento-card--featured > *:not(.about-bento-glow-ring) {
  position: relative;
  z-index: 1;
}

.about-bento-card--featured::after {
  content: "";
  position: absolute;
  inset: 2px;
  border-radius: 16px;
  background: linear-gradient(145deg, rgba(201,162,39,0.1) 0%, transparent 50%), rgba(12, 15, 14, 0.82);
  z-index: 0;
}

.about-bento-top {
  display: flex;
  align-items: flex-start;
  justify-content: space-between;
  gap: 1rem;
  margin-bottom: 1.25rem;
  position: relative;
  z-index: 1;
}

.about-bento-num {
  font-family: "Syne", sans-serif;
  font-size: 2.75rem;
  font-weight: 800;
  line-height: 1;
  color: rgba(201,162,39,0.16);
}

.about-bento-icon {
  width: 52px;
  height: 52px;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  border-radius: 14px;
  font-size: 1.25rem;
  color: var(--ab-gold);
  background: rgba(201,162,39,0.1);
  border: 1px solid rgba(201,162,39,0.28);
}

.about-bento-card h3 {
  position: relative;
  z-index: 1;
  font-family: "Syne", sans-serif;
  font-size: 1.45rem;
  margin: 0 0 0.65rem;
}

.about-bento-card p {
  position: relative;
  z-index: 1;
  flex: 1;
  margin: 0 0 1.25rem;
  color: var(--ab-muted);
  line-height: 1.65;
}

.about-bento-link {
  position: relative;
  z-index: 1;
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 0.45rem;
  margin-top: auto;
  font-size: 0.82rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: 0.06em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: var(--ab-gold) !important;
  text-decoration: none;
}

.about-bento-link i { transition: transform 0.25s ease; }
.about-bento-link:hover i { transform: translateX(4px); }

.about-link-lock {
  margin-left: 0.35rem;
  font-size: 0.72em;
  color: #e0bc3a;
  opacity: 0.9;
}

.about-bento-link--gated,
.about-ticker-item--gated {
  cursor: pointer;
}

.about-ticker-item--gated .about-link-lock {
  margin-left: 0.25rem;
  font-size: 0.65em;
}

/* ── Platform link directory (/about) ── */
.about-page--directory {
  padding-top: 5.75rem;
  padding-bottom: clamp(2rem, 5vw, 4rem);
}

.about-hero-copy--center {
  text-align: center;
  max-width: 42rem;
  margin-inline: auto;
}

.about-hero-copy--center .about-hero-actions {
  justify-content: center;
}

.ab-header-actions {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: flex-end;
  gap: 0.65rem;
}

.ab-header-btn {
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  padding: 0.55rem 1rem;
  font-size: 0.68rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: 0.12em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  text-decoration: none;
  color: #0a0b0a;
  background: linear-gradient(145deg, var(--ab-bronze), var(--ab-gold));
  border-radius: 999px;
  transition: transform 0.2s ease, filter 0.2s ease;
}

.ab-header-btn:hover {
  transform: translateY(-1px);
  filter: brightness(1.06);
  color: #0a0b0a;
}

.ab-header-btn--ghost {
  color: #e8ece9;
  background: transparent;
  border: 1px solid rgba(201, 162, 39, 0.35);
}

.ab-header-btn--ghost:hover {
  border-color: rgba(201, 162, 39, 0.6);
  color: #fff;
  filter: none;
}

.about-links {
  padding: clamp(1.5rem, 4vw, 2.5rem) 0;
}

.about-links + .about-links {
  border-top: 1px solid rgba(42, 61, 50, 0.35);
}

.about-link-grid {
  list-style: none;
  margin: 0;
  padding: 0;
  display: grid;
  gap: 1rem;
  grid-template-columns: 1fr;
}

@media (min-width: 640px) {
  .about-link-grid { grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr); }
}

@media (min-width: 1024px) {
  .about-link-grid { grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr); }
}

.about-link-card {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: 0.5rem;
  min-height: 100%;
  padding: 1.25rem 1.2rem 1rem;
  border-radius: 14px;
  background: var(--ab-elevated);
  border: 1px solid rgba(201, 162, 39, 0.14);
  text-decoration: none;
  color: inherit;
  transition: border-color 0.25s ease, transform 0.25s ease, box-shadow 0.25s ease;
}

.about-link-card:hover {
  border-color: rgba(201, 162, 39, 0.38);
  transform: translateY(-3px);
  box-shadow: 0 14px 36px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.28);
}

.about-link-card--locked {
  border-style: dashed;
  border-color: rgba(201, 162, 39, 0.22);
}

.about-link-card-top {
  display: flex;
  align-items: flex-start;
  justify-content: space-between;
  gap: 0.75rem;
}

.about-link-label {
  font-family: "Syne", sans-serif;
  font-size: 1.05rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  color: #e8ece9;
}

.about-link-badge {
  flex-shrink: 0;
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  width: 1.65rem;
  height: 1.65rem;
  border-radius: 999px;
  font-size: 0.65rem;
  color: var(--ab-gold);
  background: rgba(201, 162, 39, 0.12);
  border: 1px solid rgba(201, 162, 39, 0.25);
}

.about-link-desc {
  flex: 1;
  font-size: 0.92rem;
  line-height: 1.55;
  color: var(--ab-muted);
}

.about-link-go {
  margin-top: auto;
  padding-top: 0.35rem;
  font-size: 0.72rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: 0.12em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: var(--ab-gold);
}

.about-link-go i {
  font-size: 0.65rem;
  transition: transform 0.2s ease;
}

.about-link-card:hover .about-link-go i {
  transform: translateX(4px);
}

.about-bento-tags {
  position: relative;
  z-index: 1;
  display: flex;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
  gap: 0.45rem;
  margin-bottom: 0.75rem;
}

.about-tag {
  padding: 0.25rem 0.6rem;
  border-radius: 999px;
  font-size: 0.68rem;
  font-weight: 600;
  color: #b8dcc8;
  background: rgba(42,90,68,0.35);
  border: 1px solid rgba(92,122,110,0.4);
}

/* ── Pipeline ── */
.about-pipeline { padding-bottom: clamp(3rem, 7vw, 5rem); }

.about-pipeline-shell {
  padding: 1.5rem;
  border-radius: 20px;
  background: var(--ab-elevated);
  backdrop-filter: blur(16px);
  -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(16px);
  border: 1px solid rgba(201,162,39,0.12);
}

.about-pipeline-track {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: 1fr;
  gap: 0.5rem;
}

@media (min-width: 900px) {
  .about-pipeline-track { grid-template-columns: repeat(6, 1fr); }
}

.about-pipeline-step {
  position: relative;
  padding: 1.25rem 1rem;
  text-align: center;
  text-decoration: none;
  color: inherit;
  border-radius: 12px;
  transition: background 0.2s ease, transform 0.2s ease;
}

a.about-pipeline-step:hover,
a.about-pipeline-step:focus-visible {
  background: rgba(201, 162, 39, 0.06);
  transform: translateY(-2px);
}

a.about-pipeline-step:focus-visible {
  outline: 2px solid var(--ab-gold);
  outline-offset: 2px;
}

@media (min-width: 900px) {
  .about-pipeline-step:not(:last-child)::after {
    content: "";
    position: absolute;
    top: 1.65rem;
    left: 55%;
    width: 90%;
    height: 2px;
    background: linear-gradient(90deg, rgba(201,162,39,0.55), rgba(201,162,39,0.05));
    z-index: 0;
  }
}

.about-pipeline-dot {
  position: relative;
  z-index: 1;
  width: 14px;
  height: 14px;
  margin: 0 auto 0.85rem;
  border-radius: 50%;
  background: var(--ab-bronze);
  box-shadow: 0 0 0 6px rgba(201,162,39,0.15), 0 0 24px rgba(201,162,39,0.35);
}

.about-pipeline-step strong {
  display: block;
  font-family: "Syne", sans-serif;
  font-size: 0.95rem;
  margin-bottom: 0.25rem;
}

.about-pipeline-step span { font-size: 0.82rem; color: var(--ab-muted); }

/* ── Contact (inline on about page) ── */
.about-contact {
  padding: clamp(2rem, 5vw, 3.5rem) 0 clamp(4rem, 8vw, 5rem);
  scroll-margin-top: 1.5rem;
}

.about-contact-panel {
  max-width: 32rem;
  margin-inline: auto;
  padding: clamp(1.5rem, 4vw, 2rem);
  border-radius: 16px;
  background: var(--ab-elevated);
  backdrop-filter: blur(16px);
  -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(16px);
  border: 1px solid rgba(201, 162, 39, 0.2);
  box-shadow: 0 12px 40px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.28);
}

.about-contact-panel .contact-email {
  margin-top: 0;
  margin-bottom: 1.25rem;
}

.about-contact-panel .flashes {
  list-style: none;
  padding: 0;
  margin: 0 0 1rem;
}

.about-contact-panel .flashes li {
  padding: 0.75rem 1rem;
  border-radius: 8px;
  font-size: 0.9rem;
  text-align: center;
}

.about-contact-panel .flashes li.error {
  background: rgba(220, 53, 69, 0.2);
  border: 1px solid rgba(220, 53, 69, 0.45);
  color: #ffb4bc;
}

.about-contact-panel .flashes li.success {
  background: rgba(16, 185, 129, 0.15);
  border: 1px solid rgba(16, 185, 129, 0.4);
  color: #9ae6c3;
}

/* ── Contact (legacy standalone block) ── */
.about-contact-wrap { padding-bottom: clamp(4rem, 10vw, 6rem); }

.about-contact {
  position: relative;
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: 1fr;
  gap: 2rem;
  padding: clamp(2.25rem, 5vw, 3.5rem);
  border-radius: 28px;
  background: linear-gradient(160deg, rgba(201,162,39,0.1), transparent 42%), rgba(8,10,9,0.94);
  border: 1px solid rgba(201,162,39,0.24);
  box-shadow: 0 40px 100px rgba(0,0,0,0.55);
  overflow: hidden;
}

@media (min-width: 768px) {
  .about-contact { grid-template-columns: 1.25fr 0.75fr; align-items: center; }
}

.about-contact h3 {
  font-family: "Syne", sans-serif;
  font-size: clamp(1.85rem, 3.5vw, 2.5rem);
  margin: 0 0 1rem;
}

.about-contact h3::after {
  content: "";
  display: block;
  width: 52px;
  height: 3px;
  margin-top: 0.65rem;
  border-radius: 2px;
  background: linear-gradient(90deg, var(--ab-bronze), var(--ab-gold));
}

.about-contact-copy p {
  margin: 0;
  color: var(--ab-muted);
  line-height: 1.75;
  font-size: 1.05rem;
}

.about-contact-actions {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: 0.75rem;
}

.about-contact-actions .about-btn {
  width: 100%;
  justify-content: center;
  box-sizing: border-box;
  min-height: 3.1rem;
}

.about-contact-actions .about-btn img {
  width: 20px;
  height: 20px;
  flex-shrink: 0;
}

/* ── Scroll reveal ── */
.about-reveal {
  opacity: 0;
  transform: translateY(32px);
  transition: opacity 0.75s cubic-bezier(0.22, 1, 0.36, 1), transform 0.75s cubic-bezier(0.22, 1, 0.36, 1);
}

.about-reveal.is-visible { opacity: 1; transform: translateY(0); }
.about-reveal--delay-1 { transition-delay: 0.08s; }
.about-reveal--delay-2 { transition-delay: 0.16s; }
.about-reveal--delay-3 { transition-delay: 0.24s; }
.about-reveal--delay-4 { transition-delay: 0.32s; }

/* ── Keyframes ── */
@keyframes ab-rise {
  to { opacity: 1; transform: translateY(0); }
}

@keyframes ab-mesh-spin {
  to { transform: rotate(360deg); }
}

@keyframes ab-pulse {
  0%, 100% { opacity: 1; transform: scale(1); }
  50% { opacity: 0.55; transform: scale(0.85); }
}

@keyframes ab-pulse-glow {
  0%, 100% { opacity: 0.6; transform: scale(1); }
  50% { opacity: 1; transform: scale(1.05); }
}

@keyframes ab-float {
  0%, 100% { transform: translateY(0); }
  50% { transform: translateY(-12px); }
}

@keyframes ab-marquee {
  to { transform: translateX(-50%); }
}

@keyframes ab-shimmer {
  0%, 70%, 100% { transform: translateX(-120%); }
  35% { transform: translateX(120%); }
}

@keyframes ab-ring-spin {
  to { --ring-angle: 360deg; }
}

@property --ring-angle {
  syntax: "<angle>";
  initial-value: 0deg;
  inherits: false;
}

/* ── Responsive ── */
@media (max-width: 768px) {
  .ab-nav-left, .ab-nav, .ab-header-cta { display: none; }
  .ab-menu-btn { display: flex; }
  .ab-header { grid-template-columns: auto 1fr auto; }
  .ab-wordmark { justify-self: start; margin-left: 0.5rem; }
  .about-hero-actions { flex-direction: column; align-items: stretch; }
  .about-cta { justify-content: center; }

  .about-metrics { grid-template-columns: 1fr; gap: 0.75rem; }
  .about-showcase { transform: none; }
  .about-showcase-body { grid-template-columns: 80px 1fr; }
  .about-showcase-cover img { height: 110px; }
}

@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
  .ab-mesh, .about-ticker-track, .about-eyebrow-dot,
  .about-showcase-frame, .about-btn--shimmer::after,
  .about-bento-glow-ring { animation: none !important; }

  .ab-enter, .about-reveal {
    opacity: 1;
    transform: none;
    animation: none;
    transition: none;
  }
}