/* ============================================================
   TEMPLATE: WHY CHOOSE PRIMALI TRAVELS — v12.0 "Southern Ocean White"
   Primali Travels — Inbound Destination Management Specialists
   Theme: Premium White Ocean Light — Southern Sri Lanka Palette
   ⚠ All values reference main.css variables ONLY — NO hardcoding
   ⚠ NO inline CSS · NO hardcoded colours
   ============================================================ */

/* ── SECTION SHELL ─────────────────────────────────────────── */
.ac-why {
  position: relative;
  padding: var(--spacing-24) 0 var(--spacing-20);
  overflow: hidden;
  background: var(--bg-primary);
}

/* Top border line */
.ac-why::before {
  content: '';
  position: absolute;
  top: 0; left: 0; right: 0;
  height: 3px;
  background: var(--gradient-primary);
  z-index: 2;
}

/* ── AMBIENT BACKGROUND ─────────────────────────────────────── */
.ac-why__bg {
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  pointer-events: none;
  z-index: 0;
}

.ac-why__bg-noise {
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  opacity: 0.015;
  background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg viewBox='0 0 256 256' xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%3E%3Cfilter id='noise'%3E%3CfeTurbulence type='fractalNoise' baseFrequency='0.85' numOctaves='4' stitchTiles='stitch'/%3E%3C/filter%3E%3Crect width='100%25' height='100%25' filter='url(%23noise)'/%3E%3C/svg%3E");
  background-repeat: repeat;
  background-size: 200px;
}

.ac-why__bg-orb {
  position: absolute;
  border-radius: var(--radius-full);
  filter: blur(120px);
}

.ac-why__bg-orb--1 {
  width: 700px; height: 700px;
  top: -200px; left: -200px;
  background: radial-gradient(circle, rgba(var(--color-teal-rgb), 0.05) 0%, transparent 65%);
}

.ac-why__bg-orb--2 {
  width: 500px; height: 500px;
  bottom: -100px; right: -100px;
  background: radial-gradient(circle, rgba(var(--color-gold-rgb), 0.04) 0%, transparent 65%);
}

.ac-why__bg-orb--3 {
  width: 350px; height: 350px;
  top: 40%; left: 50%;
  transform: translate(-50%, -50%);
  background: radial-gradient(circle, rgba(var(--color-aqua-rgb), 0.035) 0%, transparent 70%);
}

.ac-why__bg-lines {
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  background-image:
    repeating-linear-gradient(
      -45deg,
      transparent, transparent 60px,
      rgba(var(--color-teal-rgb), 0.007) 60px,
      rgba(var(--color-teal-rgb), 0.007) 61px
    );
}

/* ── INNER WRAPPER ──────────────────────────────────────────── */
.ac-why__inner {
  position: relative;
  z-index: 1;
  max-width: 1280px;
  margin: 0 auto;
  padding: 0 var(--spacing-6);
}

/* ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
   SECTION HEADER
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ */
.ac-why__header {
  text-align: center;
  margin-bottom: var(--spacing-12);
}

.ac-why__overline {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  gap: var(--spacing-3);
  margin-bottom: var(--spacing-4);
}

.ac-why__overline-rule {
  display: block;
  width: 48px; height: 1px;
  background: linear-gradient(90deg, transparent, var(--color-teal-pale));
}

.ac-why__overline-icon {
  font-size: 0.65rem;
  color: var(--color-teal);
  opacity: 0.55;
}

.ac-why__overline-text {
  font-family: var(--font-body);
  font-size: var(--text-xs);
  font-weight: var(--font-weight-semibold);
  letter-spacing: 0.20em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: var(--color-teal);
  opacity: 0.8;
}

.ac-why__title-wrap {
  position: relative;
}

.ac-why__title-pre {
  display: block;
  font-family: var(--font-body);
  font-size: clamp(0.95rem, 1.8vw, 1.2rem);
  font-weight: var(--font-weight-light);
  color: var(--text-muted);
  letter-spacing: 0.07em;
  margin-bottom: var(--spacing-1);
}

.ac-why__title {
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-size: clamp(2.2rem, 5vw, 3.8rem);
  font-weight: var(--font-weight-light);
  font-style: italic;
  margin: 0 0 var(--spacing-3);
  line-height: 1.1;
  letter-spacing: -0.01em;
}

.ac-why__title-brand {
  background: linear-gradient(
    135deg,
    var(--color-teal-deep) 0%,
    var(--color-teal) 40%,
    var(--color-teal-light) 70%,
    var(--color-aqua-dark) 100%
  );
  -webkit-background-clip: text;
  -webkit-text-fill-color: transparent;
  background-clip: text;
}

.ac-why__subtitle {
  font-family: var(--font-body);
  font-size: var(--text-base);
  color: var(--text-muted);
  max-width: 580px;
  margin: 0 auto;
  line-height: 1.65;
}

.ac-why__rule {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  gap: var(--spacing-3);
  margin-top: var(--spacing-5);
}
.ac-why__rule-line {
  display: block;
  width: 80px; height: 1px;
  background: linear-gradient(90deg, transparent, var(--border-primary));
}
.ac-why__rule-diamond {
  font-size: 0.45rem;
  color: var(--color-teal-soft);
}

/* ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
   STATS RIBBON
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ */
.ac-why__stats-ribbon {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
  gap: 0;
  background: var(--bg-secondary);
  border: 1px solid var(--border-secondary);
  border-radius: var(--radius-2xl);
  padding: var(--spacing-6) var(--spacing-8);
  margin-bottom: var(--spacing-12);
  position: relative;
  overflow: hidden;
}

.ac-why__stats-ribbon::before {
  content: '';
  position: absolute;
  top: 0; left: 12%; right: 12%;
  height: 2px;
  background: linear-gradient(90deg, transparent, var(--color-teal-pale), var(--color-aqua-pale), transparent);
  border-radius: var(--radius-full);
}

.ac-stat {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  align-items: center;
  padding: var(--spacing-3) var(--spacing-8);
  text-align: center;
}

.ac-stat__num {
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-size: clamp(1.6rem, 3vw, 2.4rem);
  font-weight: var(--font-weight-semibold);
  line-height: 1;
  color: var(--color-teal);
  letter-spacing: -0.03em;
}

.ac-stat__lbl {
  font-family: var(--font-body);
  font-size: var(--text-xs);
  font-weight: var(--font-weight-medium);
  letter-spacing: 0.08em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: var(--text-muted);
  margin-top: var(--spacing-1);
}

.ac-stat__sep {
  font-size: 0.45rem;
  color: var(--color-teal-pale);
  padding: 0 var(--spacing-1);
  flex-shrink: 0;
}

/* ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
   BENTO GRID
   Layout:
   [A — large] [B — large] [C — founder tall: rowspan 2]
   [D — gold]  [E — std]   [F — seal]
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ */
.ac-why__bento {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr 340px;
  grid-template-rows: auto auto;
  gap: var(--spacing-4);
  margin-bottom: var(--spacing-12);
  align-items: start;
}

/* ── Base card ── */
.ac-card {
  position: relative;
  background: var(--color-white);
  border: 1px solid var(--border-secondary);
  border-radius: var(--radius-2xl);
  padding: var(--spacing-7) var(--spacing-7) var(--spacing-7);
  overflow: hidden;
  transition:
    border-color 0.35s ease,
    box-shadow 0.4s ease,
    transform 0.4s cubic-bezier(.16,1,.3,1);
  box-shadow: var(--shadow-sm);
}

.ac-card:hover {
  border-color: var(--color-teal-pale);
  box-shadow: var(--shadow-xl), 0 0 0 1px var(--color-teal-border);
  transform: translateY(-5px);
}

/* Accent bar on top */
.ac-card__accent-bar {
  position: absolute;
  top: 0; left: var(--spacing-7); right: var(--spacing-7);
  height: 2px;
  background: var(--gradient-primary);
  border-radius: 0 0 var(--radius-full) var(--radius-full);
  opacity: 0;
  transition: opacity 0.35s ease;
}
.ac-card:hover .ac-card__accent-bar { opacity: 1; }

/* Icon */
.ac-card__icon-wrap {
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  width: 3.2rem; height: 3.2rem;
  background: var(--bg-teal-light);
  border: 1px solid var(--color-teal-border);
  border-radius: var(--radius-xl);
  margin-bottom: var(--spacing-4);
  transition: background 0.3s ease, border-color 0.3s ease, transform 0.3s ease;
}
.ac-card:hover .ac-card__icon-wrap {
  background: var(--gradient-primary);
  border-color: var(--color-teal);
  transform: scale(1.08) rotate(4deg);
}

.ac-card__icon {
  font-size: var(--text-xl);
  color: var(--color-teal);
  transition: color 0.3s ease;
}
.ac-card:hover .ac-card__icon { color: var(--color-white); }

/* Body */
.ac-card__body { flex: 1; }

.ac-card__title {
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-size: clamp(1.1rem, 2vw, 1.35rem);
  font-weight: var(--font-weight-semibold);
  color: var(--text-primary);
  margin: 0 0 var(--spacing-3);
  line-height: 1.25;
  letter-spacing: -0.01em;
}

.ac-card__text {
  font-family: var(--font-body);
  font-size: var(--text-sm);
  color: var(--text-muted);
  line-height: 1.65;
  margin: 0;
}

/* Number watermark */
.ac-card__number {
  position: absolute;
  bottom: var(--spacing-4); right: var(--spacing-5);
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-size: 3.5rem;
  font-weight: var(--font-weight-bold);
  line-height: 1;
  color: var(--color-teal);
  opacity: 0.04;
  letter-spacing: -0.05em;
  pointer-events: none;
  transition: opacity 0.35s ease;
  z-index: 0;
}
.ac-card:hover .ac-card__number { opacity: 0.08; }

/* Cursor glow */
.ac-card__glow {
  position: absolute;
  width: 220px; height: 220px;
  background: radial-gradient(circle, rgba(var(--color-teal-rgb), 0.09) 0%, transparent 70%);
  border-radius: 50%;
  pointer-events: none;
  opacity: 0;
  transition: opacity 0.3s ease;
  z-index: 1;
  transform: translate(-50%, -50%);
}
.ac-card:hover .ac-card__glow { opacity: 1; }

/* Market tags on gold card */
.ac-card__markets {
  display: flex;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
  gap: var(--spacing-2);
  margin-top: var(--spacing-4);
}

.ac-card__market-tag {
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: var(--spacing-1);
  font-family: var(--font-body);
  font-size: 0.70rem;
  font-weight: var(--font-weight-semibold);
  letter-spacing: 0.08em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: var(--color-teal-dark);
  background: var(--bg-teal-light);
  border: 1px solid var(--color-teal-border);
  border-radius: var(--radius-full);
  padding: 3px 10px;
  transition: background 0.3s ease, border-color 0.3s ease;
}
.ac-card:hover .ac-card__market-tag {
  background: rgba(var(--color-teal-rgb), 0.12);
  border-color: var(--color-teal-pale);
}

/* Gold / accent variant */
.ac-card--gold {
  border-color: var(--border-gold);
  background: linear-gradient(145deg, var(--color-white) 0%, var(--bg-gold-light) 100%);
}
.ac-card--gold:hover {
  border-color: var(--color-gold);
  box-shadow: var(--shadow-xl), var(--shadow-gold);
}
.ac-card--gold .ac-card__icon-wrap {
  background: var(--bg-gold-light);
  border-color: var(--border-gold);
}
.ac-card--gold:hover .ac-card__icon-wrap {
  background: var(--gradient-gold);
  border-color: var(--color-gold);
}
.ac-card--gold .ac-card__icon { color: var(--color-gold); }
.ac-card--gold:hover .ac-card__icon { color: var(--color-white); }
.ac-card--gold .ac-card__accent-bar { background: var(--gradient-gold); }
.ac-card--gold .ac-card__glow {
  background: radial-gradient(circle, rgba(var(--color-gold-rgb), 0.10) 0%, transparent 70%);
}
.ac-card--gold .ac-card__number { color: var(--color-gold); }
.ac-card--gold .ac-card__market-tag {
  color: var(--color-gold-dark);
  background: var(--bg-gold-light);
  border-color: var(--border-gold);
}
.ac-card--gold:hover .ac-card__market-tag {
  background: rgba(var(--color-gold-rgb), 0.12);
  border-color: var(--color-gold-pale);
}

/* Grid placement */
.ac-card--a { grid-column: 1; grid-row: 1; }
.ac-card--b { grid-column: 2; grid-row: 1; }
.ac-card--d { grid-column: 1; grid-row: 2; }
.ac-card--e { grid-column: 2; grid-row: 2; }

/* ── FOUNDER CARD — tall, column 3, rowspan 2 ── */
.ac-founder-card {
  grid-column: 3;
  grid-row: 1 / 3;
  position: relative;
  background: var(--bg-secondary);
  border: 1px solid var(--border-secondary);
  border-radius: var(--radius-2xl);
  padding: var(--spacing-8);
  overflow: hidden;
  transition: border-color 0.35s ease, box-shadow 0.4s ease, transform 0.4s cubic-bezier(.16,1,.3,1);
  box-shadow: var(--shadow-sm);
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: var(--spacing-5);
}

.ac-founder-card:hover {
  border-color: var(--color-teal-pale);
  box-shadow: var(--shadow-xl), 0 0 0 1px var(--color-teal-border);
  transform: translateY(-4px);
}

.ac-founder-card::before {
  content: '';
  position: absolute;
  top: 0; left: var(--spacing-8); right: var(--spacing-8);
  height: 2px;
  background: var(--gradient-primary);
  border-radius: 0 0 var(--radius-full) var(--radius-full);
  opacity: 0;
  transition: opacity 0.35s ease;
}
.ac-founder-card:hover::before { opacity: 1; }

/* Avatar */
.ac-founder-card__top {
  position: relative;
  display: flex;
  justify-content: center;
  padding-bottom: var(--spacing-2);
}

.ac-founder-card__avatar {
  position: relative;
  width: 90px; height: 90px;
  border-radius: var(--radius-full);
  border: 3px solid var(--color-teal-pale);
  overflow: hidden;
  background: var(--bg-teal-light);
  z-index: 1;
  transition: border-color 0.3s ease, box-shadow 0.3s ease;
}
.ac-founder-card:hover .ac-founder-card__avatar {
  border-color: var(--color-teal);
  box-shadow: 0 0 0 4px rgba(var(--color-teal-rgb), 0.12);
}

.ac-founder-card__photo {
  width: 100%; height: 100%;
  object-fit: cover;
  color: transparent;
}

.ac-founder-card__initials {
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  display: none;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-size: 1.6rem;
  font-weight: var(--font-weight-semibold);
  color: var(--color-teal);
  background: var(--bg-teal-light);
}

/* Rings */
.ac-founder-card__ring1,
.ac-founder-card__ring2 {
  position: absolute;
  border-radius: var(--radius-full);
  top: 50%; left: 50%;
  transform: translate(-50%, -50%);
  border: 1px solid var(--color-teal-border);
  animation: acRingPulse 3s ease-in-out infinite;
  z-index: 0;
}
.ac-founder-card__ring1 { width: 110px; height: 110px; }
.ac-founder-card__ring2 { width: 130px; height: 130px; animation-delay: 0.5s; opacity: 0.6; }

@keyframes acRingPulse {
  0%, 100% { opacity: 0.4; transform: translate(-50%, -50%) scale(1); }
  50%       { opacity: 0.8; transform: translate(-50%, -50%) scale(1.04); }
}

/* Info */
.ac-founder-card__info {
  text-align: center;
}
.ac-founder-card__name {
  display: block;
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-size: var(--text-xl);
  font-weight: var(--font-weight-semibold);
  color: var(--text-primary);
  line-height: 1.2;
  letter-spacing: -0.01em;
  margin-bottom: var(--spacing-1);
}
.ac-founder-card__role {
  display: block;
  font-family: var(--font-body);
  font-size: var(--text-xs);
  font-weight: var(--font-weight-semibold);
  letter-spacing: 0.10em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: var(--color-teal);
  margin-bottom: var(--spacing-4);
}
.ac-founder-card__creds {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: var(--spacing-1);
}
.ac-founder-card__cred {
  display: block;
  font-family: var(--font-body);
  font-size: 0.72rem;
  color: var(--text-muted);
  background: var(--bg-teal-light);
  border: 1px solid var(--color-teal-border);
  border-radius: var(--radius-full);
  padding: 3px 10px;
}

/* Quote */
.ac-founder-card__quote {
  position: relative;
  margin: 0;
  padding: var(--spacing-4) var(--spacing-5);
  background: var(--bg-teal-light);
  border: 1px solid var(--color-teal-border);
  border-radius: var(--radius-xl);
  flex: 1;
}
.ac-founder-card__quote-mark {
  position: absolute;
  top: var(--spacing-2); left: var(--spacing-4);
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-size: 2.5rem;
  line-height: 1;
  color: var(--color-teal-pale);
  font-style: normal;
}
.ac-founder-card__quote-text {
  font-family: var(--font-body);
  font-size: var(--text-sm);
  color: var(--text-secondary);
  line-height: 1.65;
  font-style: italic;
  margin: var(--spacing-4) 0 0;
}

/* Footer */
.ac-founder-card__footer {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: space-between;
  padding-top: var(--spacing-2);
  border-top: 1px solid var(--border-secondary);
}
.ac-founder-card__brand {
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-size: var(--text-sm);
  font-weight: var(--font-weight-semibold);
  color: var(--color-teal-dark);
}
.ac-founder-card__est {
  font-family: var(--font-body);
  font-size: 0.68rem;
  font-weight: var(--font-weight-medium);
  letter-spacing: 0.08em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: var(--text-light);
}

/* ── SLTDA SEAL ── */
.ac-seal-card {
  grid-column: 3;
  /* Placed inside bento at col 3, row 2 is spanned by founder */
  /* Displayed as a smaller badge below bento — handled below */
  position: relative;
  background: var(--bg-secondary);
  border: 1px solid var(--border-secondary);
  border-radius: var(--radius-2xl);
  padding: var(--spacing-6);
  text-align: center;
  overflow: hidden;
  transition: border-color 0.35s ease, box-shadow 0.4s ease, transform 0.4s cubic-bezier(.16,1,.3,1);
  box-shadow: var(--shadow-sm);
}

.ac-seal-card:hover {
  border-color: var(--color-teal-pale);
  box-shadow: var(--shadow-lg);
  transform: translateY(-3px);
}

.ac-seal-card__ring {
  position: absolute;
  width: 100px; height: 100px;
  border-radius: var(--radius-full);
  border: 1px solid var(--color-teal-border);
  top: 50%; left: 50%;
  transform: translate(-50%, -50%);
  animation: acRingPulse 3s ease-in-out infinite;
  opacity: 0.4;
}

.ac-seal-card__icon {
  font-size: 2rem;
  color: var(--color-teal);
  margin-bottom: var(--spacing-2);
  display: block;
}

.ac-seal-card__title {
  display: block;
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-size: var(--text-base);
  font-weight: var(--font-weight-semibold);
  color: var(--text-primary);
  margin-bottom: var(--spacing-1);
}

.ac-seal-card__sub {
  display: block;
  font-family: var(--font-body);
  font-size: var(--text-xs);
  font-weight: var(--font-weight-medium);
  letter-spacing: 0.08em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: var(--text-muted);
}

.ac-seal-card__dots {
  display: flex;
  justify-content: center;
  gap: var(--spacing-1);
  margin-top: var(--spacing-3);
}
.ac-seal-card__dots span {
  display: block;
  width: 6px; height: 6px;
  border-radius: var(--radius-full);
  background: var(--color-teal-pale);
  animation: acDotPulse 1.6s ease-in-out infinite;
}
.ac-seal-card__dots span:nth-child(2) { animation-delay: 0.25s; }
.ac-seal-card__dots span:nth-child(3) { animation-delay: 0.5s; }

@keyframes acDotPulse {
  0%, 100% { transform: scale(1); opacity: 0.5; }
  50%       { transform: scale(1.4); opacity: 1; }
}

/* ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
   SERVICES VERTICAL STRIP
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ */
.ac-verticals {
  margin-bottom: var(--spacing-12);
}

.ac-verticals__label {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: var(--spacing-4);
  margin-bottom: var(--spacing-6);
}
.ac-verticals__label span {
  font-family: var(--font-body);
  font-size: var(--text-xs);
  font-weight: var(--font-weight-semibold);
  letter-spacing: 0.16em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: var(--text-muted);
  white-space: nowrap;
}
.ac-verticals__label-rule {
  flex: 1;
  height: 1px;
  background: linear-gradient(90deg, var(--border-primary), transparent);
}

.ac-verticals__track {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fit, minmax(200px, 1fr));
  gap: var(--spacing-3);
}

.ac-vertical__item {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: var(--spacing-3);
  background: var(--bg-secondary);
  border: 1px solid var(--border-secondary);
  border-radius: var(--radius-xl);
  padding: var(--spacing-3) var(--spacing-4);
  transition:
    background 0.3s ease,
    border-color 0.3s ease,
    transform 0.3s cubic-bezier(.16,1,.3,1),
    box-shadow 0.3s ease;
  cursor: default;
}

.ac-vertical__item:hover {
  background: var(--bg-teal-light);
  border-color: var(--color-teal-pale);
  transform: translateY(-2px);
  box-shadow: var(--shadow-sm);
}

.ac-vertical__icon {
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  width: 2.2rem; height: 2.2rem;
  background: var(--color-white);
  border: 1px solid var(--color-teal-border);
  border-radius: var(--radius-lg);
  color: var(--color-teal);
  font-size: 0.85rem;
  flex-shrink: 0;
  transition: background 0.3s ease, border-color 0.3s ease, color 0.3s ease;
}
.ac-vertical__item:hover .ac-vertical__icon {
  background: var(--gradient-primary);
  border-color: var(--color-teal);
  color: var(--color-white);
}

.ac-vertical__item span {
  font-family: var(--font-body);
  font-size: var(--text-sm);
  font-weight: var(--font-weight-medium);
  color: var(--text-secondary);
  transition: color 0.3s ease;
  line-height: 1.35;
}
.ac-vertical__item:hover span { color: var(--text-primary); }

/* ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
   CTA BAND
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ */
.ac-why__cta {
  position: relative;
  background: var(--bg-secondary);
  border: 1px solid var(--border-secondary);
  border-radius: var(--radius-2xl);
  overflow: hidden;
}

.ac-why__cta::before {
  content: '';
  position: absolute;
  top: 0; left: 12%; right: 12%;
  height: 1px;
  background: linear-gradient(90deg, transparent, var(--color-teal-pale), transparent);
  z-index: 1;
}

.ac-why__cta-glow {
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  background: linear-gradient(
    135deg,
    rgba(var(--color-teal-rgb), 0.035) 0%,
    rgba(var(--color-aqua-rgb), 0.025) 50%,
    transparent 100%
  );
  z-index: 0;
}

.ac-why__cta-inner {
  position: relative;
  z-index: 1;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: space-between;
  gap: var(--spacing-8);
  padding: var(--spacing-10) var(--spacing-12);
  flex-wrap: wrap;
}

.ac-why__cta-eyebrow {
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: var(--spacing-2);
  font-family: var(--font-body);
  font-size: var(--text-xs);
  font-weight: var(--font-weight-semibold);
  letter-spacing: 0.16em;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  color: var(--color-teal);
  opacity: 0.75;
  margin-bottom: var(--spacing-2);
}

.ac-why__cta-headline {
  font-family: var(--font-display);
  font-size: clamp(1.4rem, 2.8vw, 2.1rem);
  font-weight: var(--font-weight-light);
  color: var(--text-primary);
  margin: 0 0 var(--spacing-2);
  letter-spacing: -0.01em;
}
.ac-why__cta-headline em {
  font-style: italic;
  color: var(--color-teal);
}

.ac-why__cta-sub {
  font-family: var(--font-body);
  font-size: var(--text-sm);
  color: var(--text-muted);
  margin: 0;
}

.ac-why__cta-actions {
  display: flex;
  gap: var(--spacing-3);
  flex-shrink: 0;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
}

/* ── Buttons ── */
.ac-btn {
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: var(--spacing-2);
  padding: var(--spacing-4) var(--spacing-8);
  border-radius: var(--radius-full);
  font-family: var(--font-body);
  font-size: var(--text-sm);
  font-weight: var(--font-weight-semibold);
  letter-spacing: 0.06em;
  text-decoration: none;
  cursor: pointer;
  border: none;
  transition: all 0.35s cubic-bezier(.16,1,.3,1);
  white-space: nowrap;
  position: relative;
  overflow: hidden;
}

.ac-btn::before {
  content: '';
  position: absolute;
  inset: 0;
  background: linear-gradient(90deg, transparent, rgba(255,255,255,0.22), transparent);
  transform: translateX(-100%);
  transition: transform 0.55s ease;
}
.ac-btn:hover::before { transform: translateX(100%); }

.ac-btn--primary {
  background: var(--gradient-primary);
  color: var(--color-white);
  box-shadow: var(--shadow-teal);
}
.ac-btn--primary:hover {
  transform: translateY(-3px);
  box-shadow: var(--glow-teal);
  color: var(--color-white);
}

.ac-btn--gold {
  background: var(--gradient-gold);
  color: var(--color-white);
  box-shadow: var(--shadow-gold);
}
.ac-btn--gold:hover {
  transform: translateY(-3px);
  box-shadow: var(--glow-gold);
  color: var(--color-white);
}

.ac-btn--ghost {
  background: transparent;
  color: var(--color-teal);
  border: 1.5px solid var(--color-teal-border);
}
.ac-btn--ghost:hover {
  background: var(--bg-teal-light);
  color: var(--color-teal-dark);
  border-color: var(--color-teal);
  transform: translateY(-3px);
}

.ac-btn i { font-size: 0.9em; transition: transform 0.3s ease; }
.ac-btn:hover i { transform: translateX(3px); }

/* ── Scroll reveal animations ── */
[data-tt-animate] {
  opacity: 0;
  transform: translateY(22px);
  transition: opacity 0.7s ease, transform 0.85s cubic-bezier(.16,1,.3,1);
}
[data-tt-animate].tt-visible { opacity: 1; transform: none; }

/* ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
   RESPONSIVE
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ */
@media (max-width: 1200px) {
  .ac-why__bento {
    grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
    grid-template-rows: auto auto auto;
  }
  .ac-card--a { grid-column: 1; grid-row: 1; }
  .ac-card--b { grid-column: 2; grid-row: 1; }
  .ac-founder-card { grid-column: 1 / 3; grid-row: 2; display: grid; grid-template-columns: auto 1fr; gap: var(--spacing-6); }
  .ac-founder-card__top { grid-column: 1; align-self: start; padding-bottom: 0; }
  .ac-founder-card__info { text-align: left; }
  .ac-founder-card__quote { grid-column: 2; grid-row: 1 / 3; display: flex; flex-direction: column; }
  .ac-founder-card__footer { grid-column: 1 / 3; }
  .ac-card--d { grid-column: 1; grid-row: 3; }
  .ac-card--e { grid-column: 2; grid-row: 3; }
  .ac-seal-card { display: none; }
}

@media (max-width: 900px) {
  .ac-why__bento {
    grid-template-columns: 1fr;
  }
  .ac-card--a, .ac-card--b, .ac-card--d, .ac-card--e { grid-column: 1; grid-row: auto; }
  .ac-founder-card {
    grid-column: 1; grid-row: auto;
    grid-template-columns: 1fr;
  }
  .ac-founder-card__top { padding-bottom: var(--spacing-2); }
  .ac-founder-card__info { text-align: center; }
  .ac-founder-card__quote { grid-column: 1; grid-row: auto; }
  .ac-founder-card__footer { grid-column: 1; }
  .ac-why__stats-ribbon .ac-stat { padding: var(--spacing-3) var(--spacing-4); }
  .ac-stat__sep { display: none; }
  .ac-verticals__track { grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; }
}

@media (max-width: 768px) {
  .ac-why { padding: var(--spacing-16) 0 var(--spacing-12); }
  .ac-why__cta-inner {
    flex-direction: column;
    text-align: center;
    padding: var(--spacing-8) var(--spacing-5);
    align-items: center;
  }
  .ac-why__cta-actions { justify-content: center; }
  .ac-verticals__track { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
  .ac-why__stats-ribbon { flex-direction: column; gap: var(--spacing-3); padding: var(--spacing-5) var(--spacing-4); }
}

@media (max-width: 540px) {
  .ac-btn, .asl-btn { width: 100%; justify-content: center; }
  .ac-why__cta-actions { flex-direction: column; width: 100%; }
}

/* ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
   REDUCED MOTION
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ */
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
  .ac-card, .ac-founder-card, .ac-seal-card, .ac-vertical__item,
  [data-tt-animate] {
    opacity: 1 !important; transform: none !important; transition: none !important;
  }
  .ac-founder-card__ring1, .ac-founder-card__ring2 { animation: none !important; }
  .ac-seal-card__dots span { animation: none !important; }
}