:root{
  --ink:#14110C;          /* warm near-black */
  --ink-soft:#1E1A13;     /* raised dark surface */
  --gold:#C2A05C;         /* champagne gold */
  --gold-bright:#DDBE7E;  /* hover gold */
  --bone:#F4EFE5;         /* ivory section ground */
  --sand:#E9E1D0;         /* card sand */
  --teal:#22403C;         /* gulf teal, secondary */
  --line:rgba(194,160,92,.35);
  --line-dark:rgba(20,17,12,.16);
  --display:'Marcellus',serif;
  --body:'Manrope',system-ui,sans-serif;
  --max:1180px;
}
*{margin:0;padding:0;box-sizing:border-box}
html{scroll-behavior:smooth}
body{font-family:var(--body);background:var(--ink);color:var(--bone);line-height:1.6;font-size:16px;-webkit-font-smoothing:antialiased}
img{max-width:100%;display:block}
a{color:inherit;text-decoration:none}
.wrap{max-width:var(--max);margin:0 auto;padding:0 32px}
h1,h2,h3,.serif{font-family:var(--display);font-weight:400;line-height:1.12;letter-spacing:.005em}
.eyebrow{font-size:11px;letter-spacing:.28em;text-transform:uppercase;color:var(--gold);font-weight:600;display:flex;align-items:center;gap:14px}
.eyebrow::before{content:"";width:34px;height:1px;background:var(--gold);display:inline-block}
.btn{display:inline-flex;align-items:center;gap:10px;font-weight:600;font-size:15px;padding:16px 30px;border-radius:2px;border:1px solid var(--gold);transition:background .25s,color .25s,border-color .25s;cursor:pointer}
.btn-gold{background:var(--gold);color:var(--ink)}
.btn-gold:hover{background:var(--gold-bright);border-color:var(--gold-bright)}
.btn-ghost{background:transparent;color:var(--gold)}
.btn-ghost:hover{background:rgba(194,160,92,.1)}
.textlink{color:var(--gold);font-weight:600;font-size:15px;border-bottom:1px solid var(--line);padding-bottom:2px;transition:border-color .25s}
.textlink:hover{border-color:var(--gold)}
:focus-visible{outline:2px solid var(--gold);outline-offset:3px}

/* ---------- header ---------- */
header{position:sticky;top:0;z-index:50;background:rgba(20,17,12,.92);backdrop-filter:blur(12px);border-bottom:1px solid rgba(194,160,92,.18)}
.nav{display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:space-between;height:76px}
.logo{display:flex;align-items:center;gap:12px}
.logo svg{width:34px;height:34px}
.logo-word{font-family:var(--display);font-size:19px;letter-spacing:.06em;color:var(--bone)}
.logo-word b{color:var(--gold);font-weight:400}
nav.links{display:flex;align-items:center;gap:36px;font-size:14px;font-weight:500}
nav.links a{color:rgba(244,239,229,.78);transition:color .2s}
nav.links a:hover{color:var(--gold)}
.nav .btn{padding:11px 22px;font-size:14px}
.menu-btn{display:none;background:none;border:1px solid var(--line);color:var(--gold);padding:8px 12px;border-radius:2px;font-size:13px;letter-spacing:.1em;cursor:pointer}

/* ---------- hero ---------- */
.hero{position:relative;overflow:hidden;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(194,160,92,.18)}
.hero-bg{position:absolute;inset:0;background:
  radial-gradient(1100px 520px at 78% -10%, rgba(34,64,60,.55), transparent 60%),
  radial-gradient(900px 500px at 8% 110%, rgba(194,160,92,.12), transparent 60%),
  var(--ink)}
.hero-skyline{position:absolute;bottom:-2px;left:0;right:0;opacity:.5;pointer-events:none}
.hero-grid{position:relative;display:grid;grid-template-columns:1.15fr .85fr;gap:64px;padding:96px 0 120px;align-items:center}
.hero h1{font-size:clamp(38px,5vw,62px);margin:26px 0 22px;color:var(--bone)}
.hero h1 em{font-style:normal;color:var(--gold)}
.hero p.lede{font-size:17px;max-width:52ch;color:rgba(244,239,229,.82)}
.hero-ctas{display:flex;align-items:center;gap:28px;margin-top:36px;flex-wrap:wrap}

/* lead magnet card */
.magnet{background:var(--ink-soft);border:1px solid var(--line);border-radius:3px;padding:36px;position:relative}
.magnet::before{content:"";position:absolute;top:10px;left:10px;right:10px;bottom:10px;border:1px solid rgba(194,160,92,.18);pointer-events:none}
.magnet h3{font-size:24px;margin:14px 0 10px}
.magnet p{font-size:14px;color:rgba(244,239,229,.72);margin-bottom:22px}
.magnet form{display:grid;gap:12px}
.magnet input{background:var(--ink);border:1px solid rgba(194,160,92,.3);color:var(--bone);padding:14px 16px;border-radius:2px;font-family:var(--body);font-size:15px}
.magnet input::placeholder{color:rgba(244,239,229,.4)}
.magnet input:focus{outline:2px solid var(--gold);outline-offset:1px;border-color:var(--gold)}
.magnet .btn{justify-content:center}
.form-msg{font-size:14px;margin-top:4px;min-height:1px}
.form-msg.err{color:#E08A6B}
.magnet .form-msg{color:var(--gold)}
.cform .form-msg{color:#8A6B2F;font-size:15px}
.magnet small{font-size:12px;color:rgba(244,239,229,.5);text-align:center}

/* corridor strip: the signature */
.corridor{position:relative;border-top:1px solid rgba(194,160,92,.18);background:rgba(30,26,19,.6)}
.corridor .wrap{display:grid;grid-template-columns:auto 1fr auto;align-items:center;gap:34px;padding-top:22px;padding-bottom:22px}
.city{display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:2px;min-width:120px}
.city .code{font-family:var(--display);font-size:26px;color:var(--bone);letter-spacing:.08em}
.city .meta{font-size:12px;color:rgba(244,239,229,.6);letter-spacing:.06em}
.city.dxb{text-align:right}
.route{position:relative;height:44px}
.route svg{width:100%;height:100%;overflow:visible}
.route .plane{position:absolute;top:50%;left:0;transform:translate(-50%,-58%);color:var(--gold)}
.route-label{position:absolute;top:-8px;left:50%;transform:translateX(-50%);font-size:11px;letter-spacing:.22em;text-transform:uppercase;color:var(--gold);white-space:nowrap}
@keyframes fly{from{left:6%}to{left:94%}}
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: no-preference){.route .plane{animation:fly 9s ease-in-out infinite alternate}}

/* ---------- light sections ---------- */
.light{background:var(--bone);color:var(--ink)}
.light .eyebrow{color:#8A6B2F}
.light .eyebrow::before{background:#8A6B2F}
section{padding:110px 0}
.sec-head{max-width:640px;margin-bottom:64px}
.sec-head h2{font-size:clamp(30px,3.6vw,44px);margin-top:20px}
.sec-head p{margin-top:16px;color:rgba(20,17,12,.72)}
.dark .sec-head p{color:rgba(244,239,229,.72)}

/* why: editorial split */
.why-grid{display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;gap:72px;align-items:start}
.why-copy p{margin-bottom:20px;color:rgba(20,17,12,.8);font-size:16.5px}
.why-copy .kicker{font-family:var(--display);font-size:22px;color:var(--ink);line-height:1.4;margin-bottom:24px}
.why-copy .kicker span{color:#8A6B2F}
.tiles{display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;gap:1px;background:var(--line-dark);border:1px solid var(--line-dark)}
.tile{background:var(--bone);padding:28px 26px}
.tile h4{font-family:var(--display);font-size:17px;letter-spacing:.04em;color:#8A6B2F;margin-bottom:8px}
.tile p{font-size:13.5px;color:rgba(20,17,12,.7)}
.tile .big{font-family:var(--display);font-size:30px;color:var(--ink);display:block;margin-bottom:6px}

/* process (a true sequence, numbering earned) */
.dark{background:var(--ink)}
.steps{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(3,1fr);gap:1px;background:rgba(194,160,92,.22);border:1px solid rgba(194,160,92,.22)}
.step{background:var(--ink);padding:40px 34px}
.step .num{font-family:var(--display);font-size:15px;color:var(--gold);letter-spacing:.2em;display:block;margin-bottom:18px}
.step h3{font-size:21px;margin-bottom:12px}
.step p{font-size:14.5px;color:rgba(244,239,229,.72)}

/* neighborhoods */
.areas{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(3,1fr);gap:28px}
.area{border:1px solid var(--line-dark);border-radius:3px;overflow:hidden;background:var(--sand);transition:transform .3s,box-shadow .3s}
.area:hover{transform:translateY(-4px);box-shadow:0 18px 40px rgba(20,17,12,.12)}
.area-art{height:190px;position:relative;display:flex;align-items:flex-end;overflow:hidden}
.area-art svg{width:100%;height:auto}
.a1 .area-art{background:linear-gradient(180deg,#2A4744,#16302D)}
.a2 .area-art{background:linear-gradient(180deg,#3A3126,#1E1A13)}
.a3 .area-art{background:linear-gradient(180deg,#43585E,#1F2E33)}
.area-body{padding:26px}
.area-body h3{font-size:21px;color:var(--ink)}
.area-body .tag{font-size:11px;letter-spacing:.2em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#8A6B2F;font-weight:700;display:block;margin-bottom:8px}
.area-body p{font-size:14px;color:rgba(20,17,12,.72);margin-top:10px}
.area-body .stat{margin-top:18px;padding-top:16px;border-top:1px solid var(--line-dark);font-size:13px;color:rgba(20,17,12,.65)}
.area-body .stat b{font-family:var(--display);font-weight:400;font-size:17px;color:var(--ink);margin-right:6px}

/* insights */
.posts{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(3,1fr);gap:28px}
.post{border:1px solid rgba(194,160,92,.25);border-radius:3px;padding:30px;background:var(--ink-soft);display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:14px;transition:border-color .25s}
.post:hover{border-color:var(--gold)}
.post .cat{font-size:11px;letter-spacing:.22em;text-transform:uppercase;color:var(--gold);font-weight:700}
.post h3{font-size:20px;line-height:1.3}
.post p{font-size:14px;color:rgba(244,239,229,.68);flex:1}
.post .meta{font-size:12.5px;color:rgba(244,239,229,.5)}

/* trust band */
.trust{border-top:1px solid rgba(194,160,92,.18);border-bottom:1px solid rgba(194,160,92,.18);background:rgba(30,26,19,.55)}
.trust .wrap{display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;gap:64px;align-items:center;padding-top:80px;padding-bottom:80px}
.trust h2{font-size:clamp(26px,3vw,36px);margin-top:18px}
.trust p{margin-top:16px;color:rgba(244,239,229,.75);font-size:15.5px}
.assures{display:grid;gap:0;border:1px solid rgba(194,160,92,.25)}
.assure{display:flex;gap:18px;padding:22px 26px;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(194,160,92,.18);align-items:flex-start}
.assure:last-child{border-bottom:none}
.assure svg{flex-shrink:0;margin-top:3px;color:var(--gold)}
.assure b{display:block;font-size:15px;margin-bottom:3px;font-weight:600}
.assure span{font-size:13.5px;color:rgba(244,239,229,.65)}

/* contact */
.contact-grid{display:grid;grid-template-columns:.9fr 1.1fr;gap:72px}
.contact-info p{color:rgba(20,17,12,.75);margin-top:16px;max-width:44ch}
.contact-info .line{margin-top:28px;font-size:15px;color:var(--ink)}
.contact-info .line b{font-family:var(--display);font-weight:400;letter-spacing:.03em}
.cform{display:grid;gap:16px}
.cform .row{display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;gap:16px}
.cform label{font-size:12.5px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.08em;text-transform:uppercase;color:rgba(20,17,12,.6);display:block;margin-bottom:8px}
.cform input,.cform textarea{width:100%;background:#fff;border:1px solid var(--line-dark);padding:14px 16px;border-radius:2px;font-family:var(--body);font-size:15px;color:var(--ink)}
.cform textarea{min-height:130px;resize:vertical}
.cform input:focus,.cform textarea:focus{outline:2px solid #8A6B2F;outline-offset:1px}

/* footer */
footer{background:var(--ink);border-top:1px solid rgba(194,160,92,.18);padding:64px 0 40px}
.foot-grid{display:grid;grid-template-columns:1.4fr 1fr 1fr;gap:48px;margin-bottom:48px}
.foot-grid p{font-size:14px;color:rgba(244,239,229,.6);max-width:38ch;margin-top:16px}
.foot-grid h4{font-size:12px;letter-spacing:.22em;text-transform:uppercase;color:var(--gold);margin-bottom:18px}
.foot-grid ul{list-style:none;display:grid;gap:10px;font-size:14px}
.foot-grid ul a{color:rgba(244,239,229,.7)}
.foot-grid ul a:hover{color:var(--gold)}
.foot-base{border-top:1px solid rgba(194,160,92,.15);padding-top:28px;display:flex;justify-content:space-between;font-size:12.5px;color:rgba(244,239,229,.45);flex-wrap:wrap;gap:12px}

/* reveal on scroll */
.reveal{opacity:0;transform:translateY(18px);transition:opacity .7s ease,transform .7s ease}
.reveal.in{opacity:1;transform:none}
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce){.reveal{opacity:1;transform:none;transition:none}}

/* responsive */
@media (max-width:960px){
  .hero-grid,.why-grid,.trust .wrap,.contact-grid{grid-template-columns:1fr;gap:48px}
  .steps,.areas,.posts{grid-template-columns:1fr}
  .foot-grid{grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr}
  nav.links{display:none}
  .menu-btn{display:block}
  nav.links.open{display:flex;position:absolute;top:76px;left:0;right:0;background:var(--ink);flex-direction:column;padding:28px 32px;gap:22px;border-bottom:1px solid var(--line)}
  .corridor .wrap{grid-template-columns:auto 1fr auto;gap:16px}
  .city .code{font-size:20px}
  section{padding:80px 0}
}
@media (max-width:560px){
  .cform .row{grid-template-columns:1fr}
  .foot-grid{grid-template-columns:1fr}
  .corridor .wrap{gap:10px}
  .city .meta{font-size:10.5px}
}


/* ---------- shared page shell ---------- */
.page-head{padding:96px 0 0;position:relative}
.page-head .wrap{position:relative}
.page-head h1{font-size:clamp(34px,4.6vw,56px);margin-top:22px;max-width:20ch}
.page-head p.lede{margin-top:20px;font-size:17.5px;color:rgba(244,239,229,.8);max-width:60ch}
.light .page-head p.lede{color:rgba(20,17,12,.75)}

/* breadcrumb */
.crumb{font-size:12.5px;letter-spacing:.06em;color:rgba(244,239,229,.5)}
.light .crumb{color:rgba(20,17,12,.5)}
.crumb a{color:inherit;border-bottom:1px solid transparent}
.crumb a:hover{color:var(--gold);border-color:var(--line)}

/* ---------- article ---------- */
.article{max-width:720px;margin:0 auto}
.article-meta{display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:18px;align-items:center;font-size:13px;color:rgba(20,17,12,.6);margin-top:26px;padding-bottom:28px;border-bottom:1px solid var(--line-dark)}
.article-meta .cat{color:#8A6B2F;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.18em;text-transform:uppercase;font-size:11px}
.article-body{padding-top:38px}
.article-body p{font-size:17.5px;line-height:1.72;color:rgba(20,17,12,.86);margin-bottom:24px}
.article-body h2{font-size:29px;margin:48px 0 18px;color:var(--ink)}
.article-body h3{font-size:21px;margin:36px 0 14px;color:var(--ink)}
.article-body ul,.article-body ol{margin:0 0 26px 22px;font-size:17px;color:rgba(20,17,12,.86)}
.article-body li{margin-bottom:11px;line-height:1.65}
.article-body strong{font-weight:700;color:var(--ink)}
.article-body a{color:#8A6B2F;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(138,107,47,.4)}
.pull{font-family:var(--display);font-size:23px;line-height:1.45;color:var(--ink);border-left:2px solid var(--gold);padding:6px 0 6px 26px;margin:38px 0}
.callout{background:var(--sand);border:1px solid var(--line-dark);padding:26px 28px;margin:34px 0;border-radius:3px}
.callout h4{font-family:var(--display);font-size:18px;margin-bottom:10px;color:var(--ink)}
.callout p{font-size:15.5px;margin-bottom:0;color:rgba(20,17,12,.8)}
.byline{display:flex;gap:16px;align-items:flex-start;margin-top:54px;padding-top:30px;border-top:1px solid var(--line-dark)}
.byline .av{width:52px;height:52px;border-radius:50%;background:var(--teal);color:var(--bone);display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;font-family:var(--display);font-size:20px;flex-shrink:0}
.byline b{display:block;font-size:15.5px;color:var(--ink);margin-bottom:4px}
.byline span{font-size:14px;color:rgba(20,17,12,.7)}
.disclaimer{font-size:13px;color:rgba(20,17,12,.55);margin-top:34px;padding-top:22px;border-top:1px solid var(--line-dark);line-height:1.6}

/* inline capture block on articles */
.capture{background:var(--ink);color:var(--bone);padding:44px;border-radius:3px;margin:56px 0 0;text-align:left}
.capture h3{font-size:26px;margin:14px 0 12px}
.capture p{font-size:15px;color:rgba(244,239,229,.72);margin-bottom:24px;max-width:52ch}
.capture form{display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr auto;gap:12px}
.capture input{background:var(--ink-soft);border:1px solid rgba(194,160,92,.32);color:var(--bone);padding:14px 16px;border-radius:2px;font-family:var(--body);font-size:15px}
.capture input::placeholder{color:rgba(244,239,229,.42)}
.capture .btn{white-space:nowrap}
.capture .form-msg{color:var(--gold);grid-column:1/-1}
@media (max-width:640px){.capture{padding:30px}.capture form{grid-template-columns:1fr}}

/* insights index */
.post-list{display:grid;gap:0;border-top:1px solid var(--line-dark)}
.post-row{display:grid;grid-template-columns:150px 1fr;gap:40px;padding:38px 0;border-bottom:1px solid var(--line-dark);align-items:start;transition:background .25s}
.post-row:hover{background:rgba(194,160,92,.06)}
.post-row .side{font-size:12px;letter-spacing:.16em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#8A6B2F;font-weight:700;padding-top:6px}
.post-row .side em{display:block;font-style:normal;color:rgba(20,17,12,.5);font-weight:500;letter-spacing:.04em;margin-top:8px;text-transform:none;font-size:12.5px}
.post-row h2{font-size:27px;line-height:1.28;color:var(--ink)}
.post-row p{margin-top:12px;font-size:15.5px;color:rgba(20,17,12,.72);max-width:62ch}
.post-row .more{margin-top:14px;display:inline-block;font-size:14px;font-weight:600;color:#8A6B2F}
@media (max-width:700px){.post-row{grid-template-columns:1fr;gap:12px}}

/* about */
.bio-grid{display:grid;grid-template-columns:.85fr 1.15fr;gap:70px;align-items:start}
.portrait{border:1px solid var(--line-dark);background:var(--sand);border-radius:3px;padding:34px;text-align:center}
.portrait .ring{width:150px;height:150px;border-radius:50%;margin:0 auto 22px;background:var(--teal);display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;font-family:var(--display);font-size:52px;color:var(--gold)}
.portrait b{font-family:var(--display);font-weight:400;font-size:23px;display:block;color:var(--ink)}
.portrait span{font-size:14px;color:rgba(20,17,12,.65);display:block;margin-top:6px}
.portrait .creds{margin-top:22px;padding-top:20px;border-top:1px solid var(--line-dark);display:grid;gap:10px;font-size:13.5px;color:rgba(20,17,12,.75);text-align:left}
.prose p{font-size:17px;line-height:1.72;color:rgba(20,17,12,.85);margin-bottom:22px}
.prose h2{font-size:27px;margin:40px 0 16px}
@media (max-width:860px){.bio-grid{grid-template-columns:1fr;gap:44px}}

/* guide landing (no nav) */
.lp{min-height:100vh;display:grid;place-items:center;padding:60px 0}
.lp-inner{max-width:920px;display:grid;grid-template-columns:1.1fr .9fr;gap:60px;align-items:center}
.lp h1{font-size:clamp(32px,4.4vw,50px);margin:22px 0 20px}
.lp .bullets{list-style:none;display:grid;gap:14px;margin-top:26px}
.lp .bullets li{display:flex;gap:12px;font-size:15.5px;color:rgba(244,239,229,.82)}
.lp .bullets svg{flex-shrink:0;color:var(--gold);margin-top:4px}
.lp-mark{display:flex;align-items:center;gap:12px;justify-content:center;margin-bottom:8px}
@media (max-width:860px){.lp-inner{grid-template-columns:1fr;gap:40px}}

/* privacy / legal */
.legal{max-width:760px}
.legal h2{font-size:24px;margin:40px 0 14px}
.legal p,.legal li{font-size:16px;line-height:1.7;color:rgba(20,17,12,.82);margin-bottom:16px}
.legal ul{margin-left:22px}