/* ============================================================
   AlianzEscrow - Hero + Endorsement section
   Bundled stylesheet for Webflow embed (hosted on Netlify).

   Everything is scoped under the wrapper #ae-hero so these
   styles only touch the hero/endorsement block and never leak
   into the rest of your Webflow page or clash with Webflow's
   own class names.

   Font and image paths below are RELATIVE, so they resolve
   next to this file automatically (no domain to hard-code).
   ============================================================ */

/* ---------- Webfonts (registered globally; only used weights download) ---------- */
@font-face {
  font-family: "Poppins";
  src: url("assets/fonts/Poppins-Light.ttf") format("truetype");
  font-weight: 300; font-style: normal; font-display: swap;
}
@font-face {
  font-family: "Poppins";
  src: url("assets/fonts/Poppins-Regular.ttf") format("truetype");
  font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-display: swap;
}
@font-face {
  font-family: "Poppins";
  src: url("assets/fonts/Poppins-Medium.ttf") format("truetype");
  font-weight: 500; font-style: normal; font-display: swap;
}
@font-face {
  font-family: "Poppins";
  src: url("assets/fonts/Poppins-SemiBold.ttf") format("truetype");
  font-weight: 600; font-style: normal; font-display: swap;
}
@font-face {
  font-family: "Poppins";
  src: url("assets/fonts/Poppins-Bold.ttf") format("truetype");
  font-weight: 700; font-style: normal; font-display: swap;
}
@font-face {
  font-family: "Poppins";
  src: url("assets/fonts/Poppins-ExtraBold.ttf") format("truetype");
  font-weight: 800; font-style: normal; font-display: swap;
}
@font-face {
  font-family: "Libre Baskerville";
  src: url("assets/fonts/LibreBaskerville-Regular.ttf") format("truetype");
  font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-display: swap;
}
@font-face {
  font-family: "Libre Baskerville";
  src: url("assets/fonts/LibreBaskerville-Italic.ttf") format("truetype");
  font-weight: 400; font-style: italic; font-display: swap;
}
@font-face {
  font-family: "Libre Baskerville";
  src: url("assets/fonts/LibreBaskerville-Bold.ttf") format("truetype");
  font-weight: 700; font-style: normal; font-display: swap;
}

/* ---------- Design tokens + base, scoped to the wrapper ---------- */
#ae-hero {
  /* Brand teal scale */
  --teal-950: #0b1416;
  --teal-900: #121f21;
  --teal-800: #1b333a;
  --teal-700: #2a4953;
  --teal-600: #335863;
  --teal-500: #3e6975;
  --teal-400: #5a8794;

  /* Mint / accent scale */
  --mint-600: #6ba88c;
  --mint-500: #82b89e;
  --mint-400: #99c7b2;
  --mint-300: #b3d6c7;
  --mint-200: #cfe6dc;
  --mint-100: #e6f3ec;
  --mint-50:  #f0fff8;

  /* Neutrals */
  --white:    #ffffff;
  --paper:    #f5f8f6;
  --gray-50:  #eef2f0;
  --gray-100: #e2e9e6;
  --gray-200: #ccd6d2;
  --gray-300: #a8b6b1;
  --gray-400: #82938d;
  --gray-500: #5f716b;
  --gray-600: #43534e;
  --gray-700: #2e3b37;
  --gray-900: #16211e;

  /* Status */
  --success: #2f8f6b; --success-bg: #e4f3ec;
  --warning: #c98a2b; --warning-bg: #fbf0dc;
  --danger:  #c0492f; --danger-bg:  #fbe7e1;
  --info: var(--teal-500); --info-bg: var(--mint-100);

  /* Semantic aliases */
  --surface-page: var(--paper);
  --surface-card: var(--white);
  --surface-sunken: var(--gray-50);
  --surface-inverse: var(--teal-900);
  --surface-brand: var(--teal-700);
  --surface-accent: var(--mint-100);
  --text-strong: var(--teal-900);
  --text-body: var(--gray-700);
  --text-muted: var(--gray-500);
  --text-subtle: var(--gray-400);
  --text-on-brand: var(--white);
  --text-on-dark: var(--white);
  --text-accent: var(--teal-700);
  --text-link: var(--teal-600);
  --border-subtle: var(--gray-100);
  --border-default: var(--gray-200);
  --border-strong: var(--gray-300);
  --border-brand: var(--teal-700);
  --ring-focus: color-mix(in srgb, var(--teal-500) 45%, transparent);
  --action-bg: var(--teal-700);
  --action-bg-hover: var(--teal-800);
  --action-bg-active: var(--teal-900);
  --action-fg: var(--white);
  --accent-bg: var(--mint-400);
  --accent-bg-hover: var(--mint-500);
  --accent-fg: var(--teal-900);

  /* Type families */
  --font-sans:  "Poppins", system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", sans-serif;
  --font-serif: "Libre Baskerville", Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;
  --font-display: var(--font-sans);
  --font-heading: var(--font-sans);
  --font-formal:  var(--font-serif);
  --font-body:    var(--font-sans);
  --font-ui:      var(--font-sans);

  /* Type scale */
  --text-2xs: 12.1px; --text-xs: 13.2px; --text-sm: 15.4px; --text-md: 17.6px;
  --text-lg: 19.8px; --text-xl: 24.2px; --text-2xl: 30.8px; --text-3xl: 39.6px;
  --text-4xl: 50.6px; --text-5xl: 66px; --text-6xl: 83.6px;

  /* Weights */
  --weight-light: 300; --weight-regular: 400; --weight-medium: 500;
  --weight-semibold: 600; --weight-bold: 700; --weight-extra: 800;

  /* Line heights */
  --leading-tight: 1.1; --leading-snug: 1.25; --leading-normal: 1.5; --leading-relaxed: 1.65;

  /* Tracking */
  --tracking-tight: -0.02em; --tracking-normal: 0; --tracking-wide: 0.04em; --tracking-eyebrow: 0.18em;

  /* Spacing */
  --space-0: 0; --space-1: 4px; --space-2: 8px; --space-3: 12px; --space-4: 16px;
  --space-5: 20px; --space-6: 24px; --space-8: 32px; --space-10: 40px; --space-12: 48px;
  --space-16: 64px; --space-20: 80px; --space-24: 96px; --space-32: 128px;

  /* Radii */
  --radius-none: 0; --radius-xs: 4px; --radius-sm: 6px; --radius-md: 10px;
  --radius-lg: 14px; --radius-xl: 20px; --radius-pill: 999px;

  /* Shadows */
  --shadow-xs: 0 1px 2px rgba(18, 31, 33, 0.06);
  --shadow-sm: 0 1px 3px rgba(18, 31, 33, 0.08), 0 1px 2px rgba(18, 31, 33, 0.06);
  --shadow-md: 0 4px 12px rgba(18, 31, 33, 0.08), 0 2px 4px rgba(18, 31, 33, 0.05);
  --shadow-lg: 0 12px 28px rgba(18, 31, 33, 0.12), 0 4px 10px rgba(18, 31, 33, 0.06);
  --shadow-xl: 0 24px 56px rgba(18, 31, 33, 0.16);
  --shadow-brand: 0 10px 24px rgba(42, 73, 83, 0.24);

  /* Motion */
  --ring-width: 3px;
  --ease-out:   cubic-bezier(0.22, 1, 0.36, 1);
  --ease-inout: cubic-bezier(0.65, 0, 0.35, 1);
  --dur-fast: 140ms; --dur-base: 220ms; --dur-slow: 360ms;

  /* Layout */
  --container-sm: 640px; --container-md: 860px; --container-lg: 1140px; --container-xl: 1320px;
  --header-height: 76px;

  /* Base canvas for the hero subtree */
  font-family: var(--font-body);
  font-size: var(--text-md);
  line-height: var(--leading-normal);
  color: #fff;
  background: var(--teal-900);
  -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;
  text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;
}

#ae-hero, #ae-hero *, #ae-hero *::before, #ae-hero *::after { box-sizing: border-box; }
#ae-hero a { color: var(--text-link); text-decoration: none; }
#ae-hero a:hover { text-decoration: underline; }
#ae-hero ::selection { background: var(--mint-300); color: var(--teal-900); }

/* ============================================================
   HERO
   ============================================================ */
#ae-hero .hero { position: relative; overflow: hidden; min-height: 100svh; display: flex; flex-direction: column;
  background: var(--teal-900); }

/* immersive background carousel */
#ae-hero .bg { position: absolute; inset: 0; z-index: 0; }
#ae-hero .bg-slide { position: absolute; inset: 0; opacity: 0; transition: opacity 1200ms var(--ease-inout); }
#ae-hero .bg-slide.active { opacity: 1; }
#ae-hero .bg-slide img, #ae-hero .bg-slide image-slot { width: 100%; height: 100%; object-fit: cover; display: block; }
/* keep the top of the frame (e.g. the U.S. Bank logo) visible instead of centre-cropping it off on wide desktop */
#ae-hero .bg-slide img.pos-top { object-position: center top; }
#ae-hero .bg-slide .media { position: absolute; inset: 0; transform: scale(1.02); }
#ae-hero .bg-slide.active .media { animation: ae-kenburns 9s ease-out forwards; }
@keyframes ae-kenburns { from { transform: scale(1.02); } to { transform: scale(1.12); } }

/* legibility scrims */
#ae-hero .scrim { position: absolute; inset: 0; z-index: 1; pointer-events: none;
  background:
    linear-gradient(102deg, rgba(18,31,33,.90) 0%, rgba(18,31,33,.72) 34%, rgba(18,31,33,.30) 64%, rgba(18,31,33,.12) 100%),
    linear-gradient(to top, rgba(18,31,33,.55) 0%, rgba(18,31,33,0) 38%); }

/* nav */
#ae-hero .nav { position: relative; z-index: 5; display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: space-between;
  max-width: 1320px; width: 100%; margin: 0 auto; padding: 24px clamp(20px, 5vw, 56px); }
#ae-hero .nav .logo { height: 40px; }
#ae-hero .nav-right { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 14px; }
#ae-hero .nav-links { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: clamp(16px, 2.1vw, 30px); }
#ae-hero .nav-links a { font-size: 18.15px; font-weight: 500; color: rgba(255,255,255,.82); text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap; }
#ae-hero .nav-links a:hover { color: #fff; }
#ae-hero .nav-cta { display: inline-flex; align-items: center; height: 46px; padding: 0 20px; border-radius: var(--radius-sm);
  background: var(--mint-400); color: var(--teal-900) !important; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: .04em; text-transform: uppercase; }
#ae-hero .nav-cta:hover { background: var(--mint-300); }
#ae-hero .menu-btn { display: none; background: rgba(255,255,255,.1); border: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.28); border-radius: var(--radius-sm);
  width: 44px; height: 44px; cursor: pointer; color: #fff; font-size: 19.8px; }

/* hero content */
#ae-hero .hero-inner { position: relative; z-index: 3; flex: 1; display: flex; align-items: center;
  max-width: 1320px; width: 100%; margin: 0 auto; padding: clamp(28px, 4vw, 56px) clamp(20px, 5vw, 56px) clamp(96px, 11vw, 132px); }
#ae-hero .copy { max-width: 640px; }

#ae-hero .eyebrow { display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 10px; font-size: 13.75px; letter-spacing: .2em;
  text-transform: uppercase; font-weight: 600; color: var(--mint-300); margin-bottom: 22px; }
#ae-hero .eyebrow .dot { width: 8px; height: 8px; border-radius: 50%; background: var(--mint-400); flex: none;
  box-shadow: 0 0 0 4px rgba(153,199,178,.25); }

#ae-hero h1 { font-size: clamp(40px, 6.48vw, 83.6px); line-height: 1.03; letter-spacing: -.025em; font-weight: 800;
  color: #fff; margin: 0 0 24px; text-shadow: 0 2px 30px rgba(0,0,0,.25); }
#ae-hero h1 .serif { color: var(--mint-400); } /* same font and weight as the rest of the headline; accent color only */
#ae-hero .lede { font-size: clamp(16px, 1.62vw, 22px); line-height: 1.6; color: rgba(255,255,255,.86); max-width: 520px; margin: 0 0 34px; }

#ae-hero .cta-row { display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; gap: 14px; align-items: center; margin-bottom: 36px; }
#ae-hero .btn { display: inline-flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; gap: 9px; height: 54px; padding: 0 28px;
  font-family: var(--font-sans); font-size: 17.05px; font-weight: 600; border-radius: var(--radius-sm); cursor: pointer;
  border: 1.5px solid transparent; text-decoration: none;
  transition: background var(--dur-fast) var(--ease-out), transform var(--dur-fast) var(--ease-out), box-shadow var(--dur-fast) var(--ease-out); }
#ae-hero .btn-primary { background: var(--mint-400); color: var(--teal-900); }
#ae-hero .btn-primary:hover { background: var(--mint-300); box-shadow: 0 12px 30px rgba(153,199,178,.32); }
#ae-hero .btn-primary:active { transform: translateY(1px); }
#ae-hero .btn-ghost { background: rgba(255,255,255,.06); color: #fff; border-color: rgba(255,255,255,.4); }
#ae-hero .btn-ghost:hover { background: rgba(255,255,255,.14); border-color: #fff; }

#ae-hero .powered { display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 18px; flex-wrap: wrap;
  background: rgba(255,255,255,.94); border-radius: var(--radius-pill); padding: 13px 16px 13px 26px; box-shadow: var(--shadow-md); }
#ae-hero .powered .lab { font-size: 13.75px; color: var(--gray-500); font-weight: 600; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: .12em; }
#ae-hero .powered .qlogo { height: 62px; display: block; }
#ae-hero .powered .chip { display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 7px; padding: 8px 15px; border-radius: var(--radius-pill);
  font-size: 14.85px; font-weight: 600; background: var(--mint-100); color: var(--teal-700); }
#ae-hero .powered .chip .star { color: #E2A93B; }

/* controls: country label + dots */
#ae-hero .controls { position: absolute; z-index: 4; left: 0; right: 0; bottom: clamp(46px, 6vw, 64px);
  max-width: 1320px; margin: 0 auto; padding: 0 clamp(20px, 5vw, 56px);
  display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: flex-end; gap: 16px; }
#ae-hero .country { display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 10px; color: #fff; font-size: 16.5px; font-weight: 600;
  letter-spacing: .01em; text-shadow: 0 1px 10px rgba(0,0,0,.4); }
#ae-hero .country .pin { width: 8px; height: 8px; border-radius: 50%; background: var(--mint-400); flex: none; box-shadow: 0 0 0 4px rgba(153,199,178,.3); }
#ae-hero .dots { display: flex; gap: 8px; }
#ae-hero .dots button { width: 9px; height: 9px; border-radius: 50%; border: none; padding: 0; cursor: pointer;
  background: rgba(255,255,255,.45); transition: all var(--dur-base) var(--ease-out); }
#ae-hero .dots button.on { background: #fff; width: 26px; border-radius: 5px; }

/* country ticker */
#ae-hero .ticker { position: relative; z-index: 4; border-top: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.14);
  background: rgba(18,31,33,.55); backdrop-filter: blur(6px); overflow: hidden; }
#ae-hero .ticker-inner { max-width: 1320px; margin: 0 auto; display: flex; align-items: center; padding: 0 clamp(20px,5vw,56px); }
#ae-hero .ticker-label { flex: none; font-size: 14.3px; letter-spacing: .18em; text-transform: uppercase; font-weight: 700;
  color: var(--mint-300); padding: 18px 26px 18px 0; white-space: nowrap; }
#ae-hero .ticker-mask { position: relative; flex: 1; overflow: hidden;
  -webkit-mask-image: linear-gradient(90deg, transparent, #000 5%, #000 95%, transparent);
          mask-image: linear-gradient(90deg, transparent, #000 5%, #000 95%, transparent); }
#ae-hero .ticker-track { display: inline-flex; white-space: nowrap; will-change: transform; animation: ae-scroll 50s linear infinite; }
#ae-hero .ticker-track .c { display: inline-flex; align-items: center; padding: 18px 0; }
#ae-hero .ticker-track .c span { font-size: 17.6px; font-weight: 500; color: rgba(255,255,255,.78); }
#ae-hero .ticker-track .c::after { content: "\2022"; color: var(--mint-400); margin: 0 22px; }
@keyframes ae-scroll { from { transform: translateX(0); } to { transform: translateX(-50%); } }
#ae-hero .ticker:hover .ticker-track { animation-play-state: paused; }

/* hero responsive */
/* Nav collapses to the hamburger below 1200px so the larger header text
   never crowds the logo or overflows on small laptops. */
@media (max-width: 1200px) {
  #ae-hero .menu-btn { display: inline-flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; }
  #ae-hero .nav-links { display: none; }
  #ae-hero .nav.open .nav-links { display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: stretch; gap: 4px;
    position: absolute; top: 76px; right: clamp(20px,5vw,56px); left: clamp(20px,5vw,56px);
    background: var(--teal-800); border: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.16); border-radius: var(--radius-md);
    box-shadow: var(--shadow-xl); padding: 10px; z-index: 30; }
  #ae-hero .nav.open .nav-links a { padding: 13px 14px; border-radius: var(--radius-sm); font-size: 16.5px; color: #fff; }
  #ae-hero .nav.open .nav-links a:hover { background: rgba(255,255,255,.08); }
  #ae-hero .nav.open .nav-links .nav-cta { justify-content: center; height: 46px; margin-top: 4px; }
}
@media (max-width: 560px) {
  #ae-hero .scrim { background:
    linear-gradient(180deg, rgba(18,31,33,.55) 0%, rgba(18,31,33,.78) 60%, rgba(18,31,33,.92) 100%); }
  #ae-hero .cta-row .btn { flex: 1 1 auto; }
  #ae-hero .powered { width: 100%; justify-content: center; }
  #ae-hero .controls { bottom: 38px; }
  #ae-hero .country { font-size: 14.85px; }
}
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
  #ae-hero .bg-slide { transition: none; }
  #ae-hero .bg-slide.active .media { animation: none; transform: scale(1.04); }
  #ae-hero .ticker-track { animation: none; }
}

/* ============================================================
   ENDORSEMENT / ALLIANCE WALL
   ============================================================ */
#ae-hero .endorse { position: relative; background:
  radial-gradient(125% 90% at 50% -12%, #182e31 0%, #0f2225 52%, #0a171a 100%);
  color: #EAF1EE; padding: clamp(66px, 8vw, 110px) 0 clamp(58px, 7vw, 92px);
  overflow: hidden; font-family: var(--font-sans);
  border-top: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.06); }
/* faint chevron watermark */
/* motif: soft mint + cream glow orbs in opposite corners */
#ae-hero .endorse::before { content: ""; position: absolute; inset: 0; pointer-events: none;
  background:
    radial-gradient(40% 48% at 9% 12%, rgba(153,199,178,.12), transparent 72%),
    radial-gradient(44% 52% at 93% 90%, rgba(231,219,196,.08), transparent 72%); }

#ae-hero .endorse-head { position: relative; z-index: 2; max-width: 760px; margin: 0 auto;
  padding: 0 clamp(20px, 5vw, 56px); text-align: center; }
#ae-hero .eyebrow2 { display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 10px; font-size: 13.75px; letter-spacing: .24em;
  text-transform: uppercase; font-weight: 700; color: rgba(234,241,238,.58); margin-bottom: 18px; }
#ae-hero .eyebrow2 .chev { width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 5px solid transparent; border-bottom: 5px solid transparent;
  border-left: 8px solid rgba(234,241,238,.5); }
#ae-hero .endorse h2 { font-size: clamp(34px, 5.62vw, 68.2px); line-height: 1.04; letter-spacing: -.025em; font-weight: 800;
  margin: 0 0 18px; color: #F4F8F6; }
#ae-hero .endorse h2 em { font-family: var(--font-serif); font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; color: #E7DBC4; }
#ae-hero .endorse .sub { font-size: clamp(15px, 1.62vw, 19.8px); line-height: 1.6; color: rgba(225,235,231,.72);
  max-width: 580px; margin: 0 auto; }
#ae-hero .endorse .sub strong { color: #fff; font-weight: 600; }

/* client logo wall (auto-cycling flip grid) */
#ae-hero .logo-wall { position: relative; z-index: 2; max-width: 1120px; margin: clamp(36px, 5vw, 56px) auto 0;
  padding: 0 clamp(20px, 5vw, 56px); display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(6, 1fr); gap: clamp(12px, 1.3vw, 18px);
  opacity: 0; transition: opacity .6s var(--ease-out); }
#ae-hero .logo-wall.in { opacity: 1; }
#ae-hero .logo-card { position: relative; aspect-ratio: 5 / 3; perspective: 850px;
  transition: transform var(--dur-base) var(--ease-out); }
#ae-hero .logo-card:hover { transform: translateY(-5px); z-index: 3; }
#ae-hero .logo-card-inner { position: absolute; inset: 0; border-radius: 12px; overflow: hidden; background: #fff;
  box-shadow: 0 6px 16px rgba(0,0,0,.28); will-change: transform;
  transition: transform 300ms var(--ease-inout), box-shadow var(--dur-base) var(--ease-out); }
#ae-hero .logo-card:hover .logo-card-inner { box-shadow: 0 18px 38px rgba(0,0,0,.46); }
#ae-hero .logo-face { position: absolute; inset: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; object-fit: cover; display: block;
  backface-visibility: hidden; -webkit-backface-visibility: hidden; }

@media (max-width: 999px) { #ae-hero .logo-wall { grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr); } }
@media (max-width: 599px) { #ae-hero .logo-wall { grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr); gap: 12px; } }

/* trust pillars */
#ae-hero .pillars { position: relative; z-index: 2; max-width: 1120px; margin: clamp(52px, 6vw, 84px) auto 0;
  padding: clamp(34px, 4vw, 46px) clamp(20px, 5vw, 56px) 0; display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(4, 1fr);
  gap: 26px; border-top: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.10); }
#ae-hero .pillar { text-align: center; padding: 0 6px; position: relative; }
#ae-hero .pillar + .pillar::before { content: ""; position: absolute; left: -13px; top: 6px; bottom: 6px;
  width: 1px; background: rgba(255,255,255,.10); }
#ae-hero .pillar .pico { width: 30px; height: 30px; margin: 0 auto 14px; color: #E7DBC4; opacity: .92; }
#ae-hero .pillar .pico svg { width: 100%; height: 100%; display: block; }
#ae-hero .pillar b { display: block; font-size: clamp(15px, 1.73vw, 18.7px); font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: -.01em;
  color: #F4F8F6; line-height: 1.2; }
#ae-hero .pillar span { display: block; margin-top: 8px; font-size: 14.3px; line-height: 1.5; color: rgba(223,233,229,.62); }

@media (max-width: 760px) {
  #ae-hero .pillars { grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr); gap: 34px 22px; }
  #ae-hero .pillar:nth-child(odd)::before { display: none; }
}
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
  #ae-hero .logo-wall { opacity: 1; transition: none; }
  #ae-hero .logo-card, #ae-hero .logo-card-inner { transition: none; }
}

/* ============================================================
   SECTION: Why is Escrow important for you?  (light, text + photo)
   ============================================================ */
#ae-hero .why { position: relative; background: var(--paper); color: var(--gray-700);
  padding: clamp(64px, 8vw, 112px) 0; overflow: hidden; }
/* motif: faint concentric rings radiating from the top-left */
#ae-hero .why::before { content: ""; position: absolute; inset: 0; pointer-events: none;
  background: repeating-radial-gradient(circle at 4% 6%, transparent 0 47px, rgba(42,73,83,.06) 47px 48px);
  -webkit-mask-image: radial-gradient(78% 82% at 0% 0%, #000, transparent 70%);
          mask-image: radial-gradient(78% 82% at 0% 0%, #000, transparent 70%); }
#ae-hero .why-inner { position: relative; z-index: 1; max-width: 1180px; margin: 0 auto;
  padding: 0 clamp(20px, 5vw, 56px); display: grid; grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
  gap: clamp(28px, 5vw, 66px); align-items: center; }
#ae-hero .why h2 { font-size: clamp(30px, 4.1vw, 55px); line-height: 1.06; letter-spacing: -.022em;
  font-weight: 800; color: var(--teal-900); margin: 0 0 22px; }
#ae-hero .why h2 em { font-family: var(--font-serif); font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; color: var(--teal-600); }
#ae-hero .why-lede { font-size: clamp(15.5px, 1.51vw, 19.8px); line-height: 1.7; color: var(--gray-600); margin: 0 0 16px; }
#ae-hero .why-lede:last-child { margin-bottom: 0; }
#ae-hero .why-figure { position: relative; margin: 0; }
#ae-hero .why-figure img { position: relative; z-index: 1; display: block; width: 100%; aspect-ratio: 3 / 2;
  object-fit: cover; border-radius: var(--radius-lg); box-shadow: var(--shadow-lg); }
#ae-hero .why-figure::after { content: ""; position: absolute; z-index: 0; right: -16px; bottom: -16px;
  width: 58%; height: 56%; border-radius: var(--radius-lg); background: var(--mint-200); }

@media (max-width: 860px) {
  #ae-hero .why-inner { grid-template-columns: 1fr; gap: 24px; }
}

/* ============================================================
   SECTION: Reliable & Efficient - Escrow Services  (teal band + service points)
   ============================================================ */
#ae-hero .svc { position: relative; background: var(--teal-700); color: #fff; overflow: hidden;
  padding: clamp(58px, 7.5vw, 96px) clamp(20px, 5vw, 56px);
  border-top: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.10); border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.10); }
/* motif: diagonal precision hairlines */
#ae-hero .svc::before { content: ""; position: absolute; inset: 0; pointer-events: none;
  background-image: repeating-linear-gradient(-45deg, rgba(255,255,255,.05) 0 1px, transparent 1px 16px),
    radial-gradient(60% 90% at 84% 50%, rgba(153,199,178,.08), transparent 70%); }
#ae-hero .svc-head { position: relative; z-index: 1; max-width: 900px; margin: 0 auto; text-align: center; }
#ae-hero .svc-eyebrow { display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 11px; font-size: 14.3px; font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: .22em; text-transform: uppercase; color: var(--mint-300); margin-bottom: 16px; }
#ae-hero .svc-eyebrow .chev { width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 5px solid transparent; border-bottom: 5px solid transparent;
  border-left: 8px solid var(--mint-400); }
#ae-hero .svc h2 { font-size: clamp(32px, 5.4vw, 66px); line-height: 1.02; letter-spacing: -.025em; font-weight: 800;
  margin: 0; color: #fff; }
#ae-hero .svc h2 em { font-family: var(--font-serif); font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; color: var(--mint-300); }
#ae-hero .svc-rule { width: 62px; height: 4px; background: var(--mint-400); border-radius: 2px; margin: 22px auto 0; }
#ae-hero .svc-grid { position: relative; z-index: 1; max-width: 1080px; margin: clamp(38px, 5vw, 58px) auto 0;
  display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr); gap: clamp(16px, 2vw, 24px); text-align: left; }
#ae-hero .svc-card { background: rgba(255,255,255,.05); border: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.12);
  border-radius: var(--radius-lg); padding: clamp(22px, 2.4vw, 30px);
  transition: transform var(--dur-base) var(--ease-out), background var(--dur-base) var(--ease-out), border-color var(--dur-base) var(--ease-out); }
#ae-hero .svc-card:hover { transform: translateY(-4px); background: rgba(255,255,255,.09); border-color: rgba(255,255,255,.24); }
#ae-hero .svc-ico { display: grid; place-items: center; width: 52px; height: 52px; border-radius: 14px;
  background: rgba(153,199,178,.16); color: var(--mint-300); margin-bottom: 18px; }
#ae-hero .svc-ico svg { width: 26px; height: 26px; display: block; }
#ae-hero .svc-card p { margin: 0; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 1.62; color: rgba(233,241,238,.72); }
#ae-hero .svc-card p strong { display: block; margin-bottom: 7px; color: #fff; font-weight: 700;
  font-size: 18.15px; line-height: 1.3; letter-spacing: -.01em; }

@media (max-width: 760px) { #ae-hero .svc-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; } }

/* ============================================================
   SECTION: What Makes Us the Best Choice  (light, photo + checklist)
   ============================================================ */
#ae-hero .best { position: relative; background: var(--paper); color: var(--gray-700);
  padding: clamp(64px, 8vw, 112px) 0; overflow: hidden; }
/* motif: faint dot grid fading from the top-right */
#ae-hero .best::before { content: ""; position: absolute; inset: 0; pointer-events: none;
  background-image: radial-gradient(circle, rgba(42,73,83,.10) 1.4px, transparent 1.5px);
  background-size: 24px 24px;
  -webkit-mask-image: radial-gradient(72% 78% at 100% 0%, #000, transparent 66%);
          mask-image: radial-gradient(72% 78% at 100% 0%, #000, transparent 66%); }
#ae-hero .best-inner { position: relative; z-index: 1; max-width: 1180px; margin: 0 auto;
  padding: 0 clamp(20px, 5vw, 56px); display: grid; grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
  gap: clamp(28px, 5vw, 66px); align-items: center; }
#ae-hero .best-figure { position: relative; margin: 0; order: -1; }
#ae-hero .best-figure img { position: relative; z-index: 1; display: block; width: 100%; aspect-ratio: 3 / 2;
  object-fit: cover; border-radius: var(--radius-lg); box-shadow: var(--shadow-lg); }
#ae-hero .best-figure::after { content: ""; position: absolute; z-index: 0; left: -16px; top: -16px;
  width: 56%; height: 58%; border-radius: var(--radius-lg); background: var(--mint-200); }
#ae-hero .best-eyebrow { display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 10px; font-size: 13.75px; font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: .2em; text-transform: uppercase; color: var(--teal-600); margin-bottom: 16px; }
#ae-hero .best-eyebrow .chev { width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 5px solid transparent; border-bottom: 5px solid transparent;
  border-left: 8px solid var(--mint-500); }
#ae-hero .best h2 { font-size: clamp(30px, 4.1vw, 55px); line-height: 1.06; letter-spacing: -.022em;
  font-weight: 800; color: var(--teal-900); margin: 0 0 26px; }
#ae-hero .best h2 em { font-family: var(--font-serif); font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; color: var(--teal-600); }
#ae-hero .best-list { list-style: none; margin: 0; padding: 0; display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 15px; }
#ae-hero .best-item { display: flex; align-items: flex-start; gap: 14px; font-size: clamp(15px, 1.46vw, 18.7px);
  line-height: 1.5; color: var(--gray-700); font-weight: 500; }
#ae-hero .best-check { flex: none; display: grid; place-items: center; width: 30px; height: 30px; border-radius: 50%;
  background: var(--mint-100); color: var(--teal-700); margin-top: 1px; }
#ae-hero .best-check svg { width: 16px; height: 16px; display: block; }

@media (max-width: 860px) {
  #ae-hero .best-inner { grid-template-columns: 1fr; gap: 26px; }
  #ae-hero .best-figure { order: 0; }
  #ae-hero .best-figure::after { display: none; }
}

/* ============================================================
   SECTION: Meet Our Leadership Team  (light, framed circles w/ head pop-out + popup)
   ============================================================ */
#ae-hero .team { position: relative; background: var(--paper); color: var(--gray-700); overflow: hidden;
  padding: clamp(64px, 8vw, 112px) 0; border-top: 1px solid var(--gray-100); }
/* motif: faint vertical hairlines */
#ae-hero .team::before { content: ""; position: absolute; inset: 0; pointer-events: none;
  background-image: repeating-linear-gradient(90deg, rgba(42,73,83,.05) 0 1px, transparent 1px 44px);
  -webkit-mask-image: radial-gradient(100% 58% at 50% 0%, #000, transparent 76%);
          mask-image: radial-gradient(100% 58% at 50% 0%, #000, transparent 76%); }
#ae-hero .team-head { position: relative; z-index: 1; max-width: 820px; margin: 0 auto clamp(24px, 3.2vw, 42px);
  padding: 0 clamp(20px, 5vw, 56px); text-align: center; }
#ae-hero .team-eyebrow { display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 11px; font-size: 13.75px; font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: .22em; text-transform: uppercase; color: var(--teal-600); margin-bottom: 14px; }
#ae-hero .team-eyebrow .chev { width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 5px solid transparent; border-bottom: 5px solid transparent;
  border-left: 8px solid var(--mint-500); }
#ae-hero .team h2 { font-size: clamp(30px, 4.75vw, 59.4px); line-height: 1.03; letter-spacing: -.025em; font-weight: 800;
  margin: 0; color: var(--teal-900); }
#ae-hero .team h2 em { font-family: var(--font-serif); font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; color: var(--teal-600); }
#ae-hero .team-grid { position: relative; z-index: 1; max-width: 1140px; margin: 0 auto; padding: 0 clamp(20px, 5vw, 56px);
  display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; justify-content: center; gap: clamp(6px, 1vw, 16px) clamp(16px, 2.2vw, 34px); }
#ae-hero .team-card { flex: 0 1 190px; min-width: 0; display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; text-align: center;
  background: none; border: 0; padding: 0; margin: 0; cursor: pointer; color: inherit; font: inherit; }
#ae-hero .team-photo { display: block; width: 100%; max-width: 240px; height: auto;
  filter: drop-shadow(0 10px 13px rgba(18,31,33,.14)); transition: transform var(--dur-base) var(--ease-out); }
#ae-hero .team-card:hover .team-photo, #ae-hero .team-card:focus-visible .team-photo { transform: translateY(-6px); }
#ae-hero .team-info { margin-top: 10px; }
#ae-hero .team-name { display: block; font-size: clamp(15px, 1.62vw, 19.25px); font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: .02em;
  text-transform: uppercase; color: var(--teal-700); line-height: 1.25; }
#ae-hero .team-name strong { font-weight: 800; color: var(--teal-900); }
#ae-hero .team-role { display: block; margin-top: 6px; font-size: 11.55px; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: .09em;
  text-transform: uppercase; color: var(--teal-600); line-height: 1.5; }

/* popup modal (large, B&W secondary portrait) */
#ae-hero .team-modal { position: fixed; inset: 0; z-index: 9999; display: none; }
#ae-hero .team-modal.open { display: block; }
#ae-hero .team-modal-backdrop { position: absolute; inset: 0; background: rgba(9,17,18,.7); -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(5px); backdrop-filter: blur(5px); }
#ae-hero .team-modal-card { position: absolute; top: 50%; left: 50%; transform: translate(-50%, -50%);
  width: min(1060px, calc(100vw - 40px)); height: min(768px, calc(100vh - 44px));
  background: #fff; color: var(--gray-700); border-radius: var(--radius-xl); box-shadow: var(--shadow-xl); overflow: hidden;
  display: grid; grid-template-columns: minmax(300px, 45%) 1fr; animation: ae-modal-in .3s var(--ease-out); }
@keyframes ae-modal-in { from { opacity: 0; transform: translate(-50%, -46%) scale(.985); } to { opacity: 1; transform: translate(-50%, -50%) scale(1); } }
#ae-hero .team-modal-photo { width: 100%; height: 100%; object-fit: cover; object-position: center top; display: block; background: var(--gray-100); transition: opacity .25s var(--ease-out); }
#ae-hero .team-modal-body { padding: clamp(32px, 3.6vw, 56px); overflow-y: auto; align-self: center; }
#ae-hero .team-modal-name { margin: 0; font-size: clamp(27px, 3.13vw, 41.8px); font-weight: 800; letter-spacing: -.02em; line-height: 1.04; color: var(--teal-900); }
#ae-hero .team-modal-role { display: block; margin: 10px 0 24px; font-size: 13.75px; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: .1em;
  text-transform: uppercase; color: var(--teal-600); }
#ae-hero .team-modal-bio { margin: 0; font-size: clamp(15px, 1.19vw, 18.15px); line-height: 1.75; color: var(--gray-600); }
#ae-hero .team-modal-email { display: inline-block; margin-top: 24px; font-size: 16.5px; font-weight: 600; color: var(--teal-700);
  text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 1px solid var(--mint-400); }
#ae-hero .team-modal-email:hover { color: var(--teal-900); }
#ae-hero .team-modal-close { position: absolute; top: 14px; right: 16px; z-index: 3; width: 42px; height: 42px; border-radius: 50%;
  border: 0; cursor: pointer; background: rgba(255,255,255,.92); color: var(--teal-900); font-size: 26.4px; line-height: 1;
  box-shadow: var(--shadow-md); transition: background var(--dur-fast) var(--ease-out); }
#ae-hero .team-modal-close:hover { background: #fff; }

@media (max-width: 940px) { #ae-hero .team-card { flex: 0 1 30%; } }   /* 3 per row */
@media (max-width: 620px) { #ae-hero .team-card { flex: 0 1 44%; } }   /* 2 per row */
@media (max-width: 720px) {
  #ae-hero .team-modal-card { grid-template-columns: 1fr; grid-template-rows: 42vh 1fr;
    width: calc(100vw - 24px); height: calc(100vh - 28px); }
  #ae-hero .team-modal-photo { object-position: center 12%; }
  /* top-align the body so the name/title always sit on the white panel below
     the photo, and let a long bio scroll inside the panel (min-height:0 lets
     the grid row actually clip+scroll instead of overflowing up onto the photo) */
  #ae-hero .team-modal-body { align-self: stretch; min-height: 0; padding: 24px 24px 30px; }
}
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) { #ae-hero .team-modal-card { animation: none; } }

/* ============================================================
   SECTION: Service Partners  (white strip, institutional logos)
   motif: faint dot grid fading from the top
   ============================================================ */
#ae-hero .partners { position: relative; background: #fff; color: var(--gray-700);
  padding: clamp(54px, 6.5vw, 88px) 0; overflow: hidden; border-top: 1px solid var(--gray-100); }
#ae-hero .partners::before { content: ""; position: absolute; inset: 0; pointer-events: none;
  background-image: radial-gradient(rgba(42,73,83,.06) 1.4px, transparent 1.6px);
  background-size: 26px 26px;
  -webkit-mask-image: radial-gradient(120% 78% at 50% 0%, #000 26%, transparent 74%);
  mask-image: radial-gradient(120% 78% at 50% 0%, #000 26%, transparent 74%); }
#ae-hero .partners-head { position: relative; z-index: 1; max-width: 720px; margin: 0 auto clamp(30px, 3.8vw, 50px);
  padding: 0 clamp(20px, 5vw, 56px); text-align: center; }
#ae-hero .partners-eyebrow { display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 10px; font-size: 13.75px; letter-spacing: .24em;
  text-transform: uppercase; font-weight: 700; color: var(--teal-600); margin-bottom: 14px; }
#ae-hero .partners-eyebrow .chev { width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 5px solid transparent; border-bottom: 5px solid transparent;
  border-left: 8px solid var(--mint-500); }
#ae-hero .partners-head p { font-size: clamp(15px, 1.51vw, 19.25px); line-height: 1.6; color: var(--gray-500); margin: 0; }
#ae-hero .partners-row { position: relative; z-index: 1; max-width: 1040px; margin: 0 auto; padding: 0 clamp(20px, 5vw, 56px);
  display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; align-items: center; justify-content: center; gap: clamp(28px, 4.5vw, 66px); }
#ae-hero .partner { display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; }
#ae-hero .partner img { display: block; height: clamp(34px, 4.2vw, 52px); width: auto; max-width: 240px; object-fit: contain;
  filter: grayscale(1); opacity: .58;
  transition: filter var(--dur-base) var(--ease-out), opacity var(--dur-base) var(--ease-out), transform var(--dur-base) var(--ease-out); }
#ae-hero .partner:hover img { filter: grayscale(0); opacity: 1; transform: translateY(-2px); }
/* slightly rein in the widest wordmarks so optical weight matches */
#ae-hero .partner.is-wide img { height: clamp(30px, 3.7vw, 46px); }

/* ============================================================
   SECTION: Pay Your Escrow Deposit by Credit Card  (light, teal card)
   motif: concentric arcs (bottom-left) + soft mint spotlight (top)
   ============================================================ */
#ae-hero .pay { position: relative; background: var(--paper); color: var(--gray-700);
  padding: clamp(72px, 9vw, 128px) 0; overflow: hidden; }
#ae-hero .pay::before { content: ""; position: absolute; inset: 0; pointer-events: none;
  background:
    repeating-radial-gradient(circle at 6% 112%, rgba(42,73,83,.06) 0 1px, transparent 1px 44px),
    radial-gradient(58% 55% at 50% -4%, rgba(153,199,178,.18), transparent 68%); }
#ae-hero .pay-panel { position: relative; z-index: 1; max-width: 900px; margin: 0 auto; padding: 0 clamp(18px, 5vw, 40px); }
#ae-hero .pay-card { position: relative; overflow: hidden; border-radius: clamp(20px, 3vw, 30px);
  background: radial-gradient(135% 130% at 12% 0%, #24424b 0%, #162d33 55%, #0f2429 100%);
  box-shadow: var(--shadow-xl); padding: clamp(40px, 5.5vw, 76px) clamp(26px, 5vw, 74px) clamp(36px, 4.5vw, 62px);
  text-align: center; color: #EAF1EE; }
#ae-hero .pay-card::after { content: ""; position: absolute; top: -45%; right: -12%; width: 62%; height: 190%;
  background: radial-gradient(circle, rgba(153,199,178,.15), transparent 60%); pointer-events: none; }
#ae-hero .pay-eyebrow { position: relative; display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 9px; font-size: 13.2px; letter-spacing: .24em;
  text-transform: uppercase; font-weight: 700; color: var(--mint-400); margin-bottom: 18px; }
#ae-hero .pay-eyebrow svg { width: 15px; height: 15px; }
#ae-hero .pay-card h2 { position: relative; font-size: clamp(27px, 4.32vw, 50.6px); line-height: 1.08; letter-spacing: -.02em;
  font-weight: 800; margin: 0 0 16px; color: #F4F8F6; }
#ae-hero .pay-card h2 em { font-family: var(--font-serif); font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; color: #E7DBC4; }
#ae-hero .pay-card > p:not(.pay-note) { position: relative; font-size: clamp(15px, 1.62vw, 19.8px); line-height: 1.62; color: rgba(225,235,231,.8);
  max-width: 560px; margin: 0 auto; }
#ae-hero .pay-cards { position: relative; display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 10px;
  margin: clamp(26px, 3vw, 38px) 0 clamp(24px, 3vw, 34px);
  background: #fff; border-radius: var(--radius-pill); padding: 11px 20px; box-shadow: var(--shadow-md); }
#ae-hero .pay-cards img { height: 24px; width: auto; display: block; }
#ae-hero .pay-btn { position: relative; display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 11px;
  background: var(--mint-400); color: var(--teal-900); font-weight: 700; font-size: clamp(15px, 1.62vw, 18.7px);
  letter-spacing: .01em; padding: 16px 34px; border-radius: var(--radius-pill); text-decoration: none;
  box-shadow: 0 12px 26px rgba(153,199,178,.3);
  transition: transform var(--dur-base) var(--ease-out), box-shadow var(--dur-base) var(--ease-out), background var(--dur-base) var(--ease-out); }
#ae-hero .pay-btn:hover { background: var(--mint-300); transform: translateY(-3px); box-shadow: 0 18px 38px rgba(153,199,178,.42); }
#ae-hero .pay-btn svg { width: 18px; height: 18px; }
#ae-hero .pay-note { position: relative; display: inline-flex; align-items: flex-start; justify-content: center; gap: 8px;
  margin-top: clamp(30px, 3.4vw, 44px); max-width: 460px; font-size: 14.3px; line-height: 1.5; color: rgba(211,224,219,.62); text-align: left; }
#ae-hero .pay-note svg { width: 14px; height: 14px; margin-top: 3px; color: var(--mint-400); flex: 0 0 auto; }

/* ============================================================
   SECTION: Request Information  (white, form + contact aside)
   motif: faint blueprint plus-grid fading from top-right
   ============================================================ */
#ae-hero .contact { position: relative; background: #fff; color: var(--gray-700);
  padding: clamp(66px, 8vw, 114px) 0; overflow: hidden; }
#ae-hero .contact::before { content: ""; position: absolute; inset: 0; pointer-events: none;
  background-image: linear-gradient(rgba(42,73,83,.05) 1px, transparent 1px), linear-gradient(90deg, rgba(42,73,83,.05) 1px, transparent 1px);
  background-size: 42px 42px;
  -webkit-mask-image: radial-gradient(95% 72% at 100% 0%, #000, transparent 68%);
  mask-image: radial-gradient(95% 72% at 100% 0%, #000, transparent 68%); }
#ae-hero .contact-inner { position: relative; z-index: 1; max-width: 1140px; margin: 0 auto; padding: 0 clamp(20px, 5vw, 56px);
  display: grid; grid-template-columns: 1.4fr 1fr; gap: clamp(30px, 4vw, 64px); align-items: start; }
#ae-hero .contact-eyebrow { display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 10px; font-size: 13.75px; letter-spacing: .24em;
  text-transform: uppercase; font-weight: 700; color: var(--teal-600); margin-bottom: 14px; }
#ae-hero .contact-eyebrow .chev { width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 5px solid transparent; border-bottom: 5px solid transparent;
  border-left: 8px solid var(--mint-500); }
#ae-hero .contact h2 { font-size: clamp(30px, 4.75vw, 55px); line-height: 1.05; letter-spacing: -.025em; font-weight: 800;
  margin: 0 0 14px; color: var(--teal-900); }
#ae-hero .contact h2 em { font-family: var(--font-serif); font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; color: var(--teal-600); }
#ae-hero .contact-lede { font-size: clamp(15px, 1.51vw, 18.7px); line-height: 1.6; color: var(--gray-500); margin: 0 0 clamp(22px, 2.6vw, 32px); max-width: 520px; }
#ae-hero .form-grid { display: grid; grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; gap: 15px 16px; }
#ae-hero .field { display: flex; flex-direction: column; }
#ae-hero .field.full { grid-column: 1 / -1; }
#ae-hero .field label { font-size: 12.65px; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: .06em; text-transform: uppercase;
  color: var(--gray-500); margin-bottom: 7px; }
#ae-hero .field input, #ae-hero .field textarea { font-family: var(--font-sans); font-size: 16.5px; color: var(--gray-900);
  background: var(--paper); border: 1px solid var(--gray-200); border-radius: var(--radius-md); padding: 12px 14px; width: 100%;
  transition: border-color var(--dur-fast) var(--ease-out), box-shadow var(--dur-fast) var(--ease-out), background var(--dur-fast) var(--ease-out); }
#ae-hero .field input::placeholder, #ae-hero .field textarea::placeholder { color: var(--gray-400); }
#ae-hero .field input:focus, #ae-hero .field textarea:focus { outline: none; border-color: var(--mint-500);
  box-shadow: 0 0 0 3px rgba(153,199,178,.24); background: #fff; }
#ae-hero .field textarea { min-height: 104px; resize: vertical; }
#ae-hero .form-consent { display: flex; align-items: flex-start; gap: 10px; margin-top: 16px; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.5; color: var(--gray-500); }
#ae-hero .form-consent input { margin-top: 1px; width: 16px; height: 16px; accent-color: var(--teal-600); flex: 0 0 auto; cursor: pointer; }
#ae-hero .form-consent a { color: var(--teal-700); text-decoration: underline; text-underline-offset: 2px; }
#ae-hero .form-submit { margin-top: 20px; display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 10px; border: 0; cursor: pointer;
  background: var(--teal-700); color: #fff; font-family: var(--font-sans); font-weight: 700; font-size: 16.5px;
  padding: 15px 32px; border-radius: var(--radius-pill); box-shadow: var(--shadow-brand);
  transition: background var(--dur-base) var(--ease-out), transform var(--dur-base) var(--ease-out); }
#ae-hero .form-submit:hover { background: var(--teal-800); transform: translateY(-2px); }
#ae-hero .form-submit svg { width: 17px; height: 17px; }
#ae-hero .form.is-hidden { display: none; }
#ae-hero .form-success { display: none; padding: clamp(26px, 3vw, 38px); border-radius: var(--radius-lg);
  background: var(--mint-100); border: 1px solid var(--mint-300); color: var(--teal-800); }
#ae-hero .form-success.show { display: block; animation: ae-fade-up .4s var(--ease-out); }
#ae-hero .form-success .ok { display: inline-flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; width: 46px; height: 46px;
  border-radius: 50%; background: var(--mint-400); color: var(--teal-900); margin-bottom: 16px; }
#ae-hero .form-success .ok svg { width: 24px; height: 24px; }
#ae-hero .form-success h3 { margin: 0 0 8px; font-size: 20.9px; font-weight: 700; color: var(--teal-900); }
#ae-hero .form-success p { margin: 0; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 1.6; }
@keyframes ae-fade-up { from { opacity: 0; transform: translateY(10px); } to { opacity: 1; transform: none; } }
/* contact aside */
#ae-hero .contact-aside { position: relative; overflow: hidden; border-radius: var(--radius-xl); color: #EAF1EE;
  background: radial-gradient(130% 120% at 100% 0%, #24424b, #132a30 60%, #0f2429 100%);
  box-shadow: var(--shadow-lg); padding: clamp(30px, 3.4vw, 46px); display: flex; flex-direction: column; }
#ae-hero .contact-aside::after { content: ""; position: absolute; bottom: -30%; left: -20%; width: 70%; height: 90%;
  background: radial-gradient(circle, rgba(153,199,178,.14), transparent 62%); pointer-events: none; }
#ae-hero .contact-aside h3 { position: relative; margin: 0 0 8px; font-size: 13.75px; letter-spacing: .18em; text-transform: uppercase;
  font-weight: 700; color: rgba(234,241,238,.55); }
#ae-hero .contact-aside .aside-lead { position: relative; margin: 0 0 26px; font-size: clamp(18px, 2.05vw, 24.2px); line-height: 1.35;
  font-weight: 600; color: #F4F8F6; }
#ae-hero .contact-aside .aside-lead em { font-family: var(--font-serif); font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; color: #E7DBC4; }
#ae-hero .aside-link { position: relative; display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 11px; text-decoration: none;
  color: #EAF1EE; font-size: clamp(15px, 1.62vw, 18.7px); font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 26px; word-break: break-word; }
#ae-hero .aside-link .ico { display: inline-flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; width: 40px; height: 40px; flex: 0 0 auto;
  border-radius: 50%; background: rgba(153,199,178,.16); color: var(--mint-300); transition: background var(--dur-base) var(--ease-out); }
#ae-hero .aside-link .ico svg { width: 18px; height: 18px; }
#ae-hero .aside-link:hover .ico { background: rgba(153,199,178,.28); }
#ae-hero .aside-points { position: relative; margin: 4px 0 0; padding: 22px 0 0; border-top: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.1);
  display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 13px; list-style: none; }
#ae-hero .aside-points li { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 11px; font-size: 15.4px; color: rgba(224,234,230,.78); }
#ae-hero .aside-points svg { width: 17px; height: 17px; color: var(--mint-400); flex: 0 0 auto; }

/* ============================================================
   SECTION: Footer  (deep teal)
   ============================================================ */
#ae-hero .foot { position: relative; overflow: hidden; color: rgba(224,234,230,.72);
  background: radial-gradient(120% 130% at 50% -30%, #172b30, #0b1518 72%);
  padding: clamp(58px, 7vw, 88px) 0 0; border-top: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.06); }
#ae-hero .foot-top { position: relative; z-index: 1; max-width: 1140px; margin: 0 auto; padding: 0 clamp(20px, 5vw, 56px);
  display: grid; grid-template-columns: 1.5fr 1fr 1fr; gap: clamp(30px, 4vw, 60px); }
#ae-hero .foot-brand img { height: 30px; width: auto; display: block; margin-bottom: 20px; }
#ae-hero .foot-brand p { margin: 0; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 1.68; color: rgba(210,224,219,.58); max-width: 330px; }
#ae-hero .foot-col h4 { font-size: 12.65px; letter-spacing: .18em; text-transform: uppercase; color: rgba(234,241,238,.5);
  margin: 3px 0 16px; font-weight: 700; }
#ae-hero .foot-col a { display: block; width: fit-content; color: rgba(224,234,230,.82); text-decoration: none; font-size: 15.95px; margin-bottom: 12px;
  transition: color var(--dur-fast) var(--ease-out); }
#ae-hero .foot-col a:hover { color: #fff; }
#ae-hero .foot-bar { position: relative; z-index: 1; max-width: 1140px; margin: clamp(42px, 5vw, 66px) auto 0;
  padding: 22px clamp(20px, 5vw, 56px); border-top: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.09);
  display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: space-between; gap: 14px 24px; flex-wrap: wrap;
  font-size: 13.75px; color: rgba(200,214,209,.5); }
#ae-hero .foot-bar a { color: rgba(200,214,209,.72); text-decoration: none; }
#ae-hero .foot-bar a:hover { color: #fff; }
#ae-hero .foot-up { display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 9px; color: rgba(224,234,230,.7); text-decoration: none;
  font-size: 13.75px; font-weight: 600; letter-spacing: .02em; }
#ae-hero .foot-up .circ { display: inline-flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; width: 34px; height: 34px; border-radius: 50%;
  border: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.16); color: var(--mint-300);
  transition: background var(--dur-base) var(--ease-out), transform var(--dur-base) var(--ease-out), border-color var(--dur-base); }
#ae-hero .foot-up:hover .circ { background: rgba(153,199,178,.16); border-color: rgba(153,199,178,.4); transform: translateY(-3px); }
#ae-hero .foot-up .circ svg { width: 16px; height: 16px; }

/* ---- responsive for the four new sections ---- */
@media (max-width: 860px) {
  #ae-hero .contact-inner { grid-template-columns: 1fr; gap: 28px; }
  #ae-hero .foot-top { grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; gap: 34px 26px; }
  #ae-hero .foot-brand { grid-column: 1 / -1; }
}
@media (max-width: 560px) {
  #ae-hero .form-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
  #ae-hero .foot-top { grid-template-columns: 1fr; gap: 30px; }
  #ae-hero .foot-bar { justify-content: center; text-align: center; }
  #ae-hero .partners-row { gap: 24px 32px; }
}