.mlpost {
    --bg:            #f3eef1;
    --surface:       #ffffff;
    --surface-sunk:  #ece2e8;
    --ink:           #211a1e;
    --ink-soft:      #585055;
    --ink-faint:     #968b91;
    --heading:       #171114;
    --accent:        #46203c;
    --accent-mid:    #8a3d6b;
    --accent-hover:  #331528;
    --accent-weak:   #f4e6ee;
    --accent-line:   #e0c3d4;
    --data:          #99691a;
    --data-weak:     #fbf4e6;
    --data-line:     #e6d2a8;
    --border:        #e4dce1;
    --radius:        14px;
    --radius-sm:     9px;
    --shadow:        0 1px 2px rgba(16,64,60,.05), 0 10px 30px -16px rgba(16,64,60,.22);
    --maxw:          860px;
    --f-display:     "Fraunces", Georgia, serif;
    --f-body:        "Inter Tight", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", sans-serif;
    --f-mono:        "IBM Plex Mono", ui-monospace, SFMono-Regular, Menlo, monospace;

    max-width: var(--maxw);
    margin: 0 auto;
    padding: 0 24px 96px;
    background: var(--bg);
    color: var(--ink);
    font-family: var(--f-body);
    font-size: 18px;
    line-height: 1.74;
    -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;
    overflow-wrap: break-word;
  }

  .mlpost *, .mlpost *::before, .mlpost *::after { box-sizing: border-box; }

  .mlpost a {
    color: var(--accent-mid); text-decoration: none;
    border-bottom: 1px solid var(--accent-line);
    transition: color .15s, border-color .15s;
  }
  .mlpost a:hover { color: var(--accent-hover); border-color: var(--accent); }
  .mlpost a:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid var(--accent-mid); outline-offset: 3px; border-radius: 2px; }
  .mlpost strong { color: var(--heading); font-weight: 600; }
  .mlpost img { max-width: 100%; height: auto; }

  /* ============ HEADER ============ */
  .ml-header { padding: 54px 0 12px; border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border); }

  .ml-eyebrow {
    display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 10px;
    font-family: var(--f-mono); font-size: 11.5px; font-weight: 500;
    letter-spacing: .16em; text-transform: uppercase;
    color: var(--accent-mid); margin: 0 0 22px;
  }
  .ml-eyebrow::before { content: ""; width: 24px; height: 1px; background: var(--accent-mid); }

  .ml-title {
    font-family: var(--f-display); font-weight: 600;
    font-size: clamp(31px, 5.2vw, 50px);
    line-height: 1.08; letter-spacing: -.015em;
    color: var(--heading); margin: 0 0 20px;
  }
  .ml-title em { font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; color: var(--accent-mid); }

  .ml-dek {
    font-size: clamp(17px, 2.1vw, 20px); line-height: 1.6; font-weight: 300;
    color: var(--ink-soft); margin: 0 0 26px; max-width: 60ch;
  }

  .ml-meta {
    display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; gap: 10px 32px;
    font-family: var(--f-mono); font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: .04em;
    color: var(--ink-faint); padding-bottom: 26px;
  }
  .ml-meta span b { color: var(--accent-mid); font-weight: 600; }

  /* ============ TOC ============ */
  .ml-toc {
    background: var(--surface); border: 1px solid var(--border);
    border-radius: var(--radius); padding: 22px 26px;
    margin: 22px 0 4px; box-shadow: var(--shadow);
  }
  .ml-toc-title {
    font-family: var(--f-mono); font-size: 11px; font-weight: 600;
    letter-spacing: .16em; text-transform: uppercase;
    color: var(--ink-faint); margin: 0 0 6px;
  }
  .ml-toc ul { list-style: none !important; margin: 0 !important; padding: 0 !important; }
  .ml-toc li { list-style: none !important; margin: 0 !important; padding: 0 !important; }
  .ml-toc li::marker { content: "" !important; }
  .ml-toc a {
    display: flex; align-items: baseline; gap: 14px; padding: 10px 0 !important;
    color: var(--ink); font-weight: 500; font-size: 16px;
    border-bottom: none; transition: color .15s, padding-left .15s;
  }
  .ml-toc li + li a { border-top: 1px solid var(--border); }
  .ml-toc a .ml-toc-num {
    font-family: var(--f-mono); font-size: 12px; font-weight: 600;
    color: var(--accent-mid); min-width: 22px;
  }
  .ml-toc a:hover { color: var(--accent); padding-left: 4px !important; }

  /* ============ SECTIONS ============ */
  .ml-sec { padding-top: 58px; scroll-margin-top: 24px; }
  .ml-kicker {
    font-family: var(--f-mono); font-size: 11px; font-weight: 600;
    letter-spacing: .16em; text-transform: uppercase;
    color: var(--accent-mid); margin: 0 0 12px;
  }
  .ml-sec > h2 {
    font-family: var(--f-display); font-weight: 600;
    font-size: clamp(25px, 3.4vw, 36px);
    line-height: 1.14; letter-spacing: -.01em;
    color: var(--heading); margin: 0 0 16px;
  }
  .ml-sec > h3 {
    font-family: var(--f-display); font-weight: 600;
    font-size: clamp(20px, 2.6vw, 26px);
    line-height: 1.22; color: var(--heading); margin: 28px 0 10px;
  }
  .ml-sec > p { margin: 0 0 18px; }
  .ml-lead { font-size: 20px; font-weight: 300; line-height: 1.62; }

  .ml-pull {
    font-family: var(--f-display); font-style: italic; font-weight: 400;
    font-size: clamp(19px, 2.6vw, 24px); line-height: 1.4;
    color: var(--accent); margin: 30px 0 26px !important;
    padding: 20px 26px; border-left: 3px solid var(--accent);
    background: var(--accent-weak); border-radius: 0 var(--radius-sm) var(--radius-sm) 0;
  }

  /* ---- SPLIT CARDS ---- */
  .ml-split { display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr); gap: 14px; margin: 22px 0; }
  .ml-card {
    background: var(--surface); border: 1px solid var(--border);
    border-radius: var(--radius-sm); padding: 20px 22px 18px;
  }
  .ml-card h4 {
    font-family: var(--f-mono); font-size: 12px; font-weight: 600;
    letter-spacing: .1em; text-transform: uppercase;
    color: var(--accent-mid); margin: 0 0 8px;
  }
  .ml-card p { margin: 0; font-size: 15.5px; color: var(--ink-soft); line-height: 1.62; }

  /* ---- FLOWCHART ---- */
  .ml-flow {
    display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
    gap: 12px; margin: 28px 0;
  }
  .ml-flow-card {
    background: var(--surface); border: 1px solid var(--border);
    border-radius: var(--radius-sm); padding: 18px 18px 16px;
    position: relative;
  }
  /* arrow on right side of each card except last in row */
  .ml-flow-card:not(.ml-flow-last)::after {
    content: ""; position: absolute;
    right: -9px; top: 50%; transform: translateY(-50%);
    width: 0; height: 0;
    border-top: 6px solid transparent;
    border-bottom: 6px solid transparent;
    border-left: 7px solid var(--accent-line);
    z-index: 2;
  }
  /* down-arrow from row 1 end to row 2 start */
  .ml-flow-turn::after {
    content: ""; position: absolute;
    right: 50%; bottom: -9px; transform: translateX(50%);
    width: 0; height: 0;
    border-left: 6px solid transparent;
    border-right: 6px solid transparent;
    border-top: 7px solid var(--accent-line);
    z-index: 2;
  }
  .ml-flow-turn::after { right: auto; left: 50%; transform: translateX(-50%); }
  /* row 2 reads right-to-left, so arrow on left */
  .ml-flow-card.ml-flow-rev:not(.ml-flow-last)::after {
    right: auto; left: -9px;
    border-left: none;
    border-right: 7px solid var(--accent-line);
  }
  .ml-flow-num {
    display: inline-flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center;
    width: 28px; height: 28px; border-radius: 50%;
    background: var(--accent); color: #fff;
    font-family: var(--f-mono); font-size: 12px; font-weight: 600;
    margin: 0 0 10px;
  }
  .ml-flow-title {
    font-weight: 600; color: var(--heading); font-size: 15.5px;
    margin: 0 0 3px; line-height: 1.3;
  }
  .ml-flow-time {
    font-family: var(--f-mono); font-size: 11px; color: var(--accent-mid);
    font-weight: 500; margin: 0 0 6px;
  }
  .ml-flow-card > p:last-child {
    margin: 0; font-size: 14px; color: var(--ink-soft); line-height: 1.52;
  }
  /* parallel badge */
  .ml-flow-badge {
    display: inline-block; font-family: var(--f-mono);
    font-size: 10px; font-weight: 600; letter-spacing: .06em;
    text-transform: uppercase; color: var(--data);
    background: var(--data-weak); border: 1px solid var(--data-line);
    border-radius: 4px; padding: 2px 7px; margin-top: 8px;
  }
  @media (max-width: 720px) {
    .ml-flow { grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr); }
    .ml-flow-card:nth-child(2)::after,
    .ml-flow-card:nth-child(4)::after { display: none; }
    .ml-flow-card.ml-flow-turn::after { display: none; }
    .ml-flow-card.ml-flow-rev::after { right: -9px; left: auto; border-left: 7px solid var(--accent-line); border-right: none; }
  }
  @media (max-width: 480px) {
    .ml-flow { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
    .ml-flow-card::after,
    .ml-flow-card.ml-flow-turn::after,
    .ml-flow-card.ml-flow-rev::after { display: none !important; }
  }

  /* ---- DATA GRID (for factory stats) ---- */
  .ml-data-grid {
    display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr); gap: 14px; margin: 22px 0;
  }
  .ml-datum {
    background: var(--surface); border: 1px solid var(--border);
    border-radius: var(--radius-sm); padding: 18px 20px;
  }
  .ml-datum-val {
    font-family: var(--f-display); font-weight: 600;
    font-size: 28px; color: var(--accent); line-height: 1.1; margin: 0 0 4px;
  }
  .ml-datum-label {
    font-size: 14px; color: var(--ink-soft); line-height: 1.45;
  }

  /* ---- CALLOUTS ---- */
  .ml-callout {
    border: 1px solid var(--data-line); border-left: 3px solid var(--data);
    background: var(--data-weak); border-radius: var(--radius-sm);
    padding: 20px 22px; margin: 26px 0;
  }
  .ml-callout > *:last-child { margin-bottom: 0 !important; }
  .ml-callout p { margin: 0; font-size: 16.5px; line-height: 1.64; color: var(--ink-soft); }
  .ml-callout-label {
    display: block; font-family: var(--f-mono); font-size: 11px; font-weight: 600;
    letter-spacing: .13em; text-transform: uppercase; color: var(--data); margin-bottom: 8px;
  }
  .ml-callout strong { color: #6f4810; }

  /* ---- FAQ ACCORDION ---- */
  .ml-faq { margin: 24px 0; display: grid; gap: 10px; }
  .ml-faq-item {
    background: var(--surface); border: 1px solid var(--border);
    border-radius: var(--radius-sm); overflow: hidden;
    transition: border-color .2s;
  }
  .ml-faq-item[open] { border-color: var(--accent-line); }
  .ml-faq-item summary {
    display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: space-between; gap: 16px;
    padding: 18px 22px; cursor: pointer;
    font-size: 17px; font-weight: 600; color: var(--heading); line-height: 1.42;
    list-style: none;
    -webkit-user-select: none; user-select: none;
    transition: background .15s;
  }
  .ml-faq-item summary:hover { background: var(--accent-weak); }
  .ml-faq-item summary::-webkit-details-marker { display: none; }
  .ml-faq-item summary::marker { display: none; content: ""; }
  /* chevron icon */
  .ml-faq-chevron {
    width: 20px; height: 20px; flex: none;
    stroke: var(--ink-faint); transition: transform .25s ease, stroke .2s;
  }
  .ml-faq-item[open] .ml-faq-chevron {
    transform: rotate(180deg); stroke: var(--accent-mid);
  }
  /* answer body */
  .ml-faq-answer {
    padding: 0 22px 20px; font-size: 16.5px;
    color: var(--ink-soft); line-height: 1.64;
    border-top: 1px solid var(--border);
    animation: ml-fade-in .2s ease;
  }
  .ml-faq-answer p { margin: 14px 0 0; }
  .ml-faq-answer p:first-child { margin-top: 16px; }
  @keyframes ml-fade-in { from { opacity: 0; transform: translateY(-4px); } to { opacity: 1; transform: translateY(0); } }

  /* ---- CLOSING CTA ---- */
  .ml-closing {
    margin-top: 70px; background: var(--accent); color: #f0e3ec;
    border-radius: var(--radius); padding: 46px 44px 42px;
  }
  .ml-closing .ml-kicker { color: #cf9dbd; }
  .ml-closing h2 {
    font-family: var(--f-display); font-weight: 600; color: #fff;
    font-size: clamp(24px, 3.1vw, 34px); margin: 0 0 14px; line-height: 1.18;
  }
  .ml-closing p { color: #d9bccd; margin: 0 0 16px; font-size: 17px; }
  .ml-closing strong { color: #fff; }

  .ml-contact-label {
    font-family: var(--f-mono); font-size: 11px; font-weight: 600;
    letter-spacing: .14em; text-transform: uppercase; color: #b483a0;
    margin: 30px 0 16px !important; padding-top: 26px;
    border-top: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.12);
  }
  .ml-contact { display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; gap: 12px 28px; }
  .ml-contact a {
    display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 10px;
    color: #f0e3ec; font-weight: 500; font-size: 16px; border-bottom: none;
  }
  .ml-contact a:hover { color: #d9bccd; }
  .ml-contact .ml-ic-round {
    width: 34px; height: 34px; flex: none; border-radius: 50%;
    background: rgba(255,255,255,.08); display: grid; place-items: center;
    transition: background .16s;
  }
  .ml-contact a:hover .ml-ic-round { background: rgba(207,157,189,.22); }
  .ml-contact .ml-ic-round svg { width: 16px; height: 16px; }

  /* ---- FOOTER ---- */
  .ml-footer {
    margin-top: 40px; padding-top: 22px; border-top: 1px solid var(--border);
    font-size: 14px; color: var(--ink-faint); line-height: 1.65;
  }
  .ml-footer p { margin: 0 0 8px; }
  .ml-footer p:last-child { margin: 0; }

  /* ---- RESPONSIVE ---- */
  @media (max-width: 720px) {
    .ml-split { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
    .ml-data-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
  }
  @media (max-width: 640px) {
    .mlpost { font-size: 17px; padding: 0 18px 72px; }
    .ml-header { padding: 34px 0 10px; }
    .ml-toc { padding: 18px 20px; }
    .ml-sec { padding-top: 46px; }
    .ml-closing { padding: 34px 22px 32px; margin-top: 48px; }
    .ml-contact { flex-direction: column; gap: 14px; }
    .ml-datum-val { font-size: 24px; }
  }
  @media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
    .mlpost a { transition: none !important; }
  }