/* ===================================================
  Arcadia Mist - NATURE ORGANIC STYLE
  Modern, organic, flexbox-only responsive CSS theme
=================================================== */
/* =========== RESET & NORMALIZE ========== */
html {
  box-sizing: border-box;
  font-size: 16px;
  scroll-behavior: smooth;
  background: #F6F6F3;
}
*, *:before, *:after { box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0; padding: 0; }
body {
  font-family: 'Roboto', Arial, sans-serif;
  background: #F6F6F3;
  color: #333820;
  font-weight: 400;
  min-height: 100vh;
  line-height: 1.6;
  -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;
  -moz-osx-font-smoothing: grayscale;
}
img, picture, video, canvas, svg { display: block; max-width: 100%; height: auto; border: 0; }
h1, h2, h3, h4, h5, h6 {
  font-family: 'Montserrat', Arial, sans-serif;
  font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: -1px;
  color: #1A213A;
  margin-bottom: 16px;
  line-height: 1.15;
}
h1 { font-size: 2.75rem; margin-bottom: 20px; }
h2 { font-size: 2rem; margin-bottom: 16px; }
h3 { font-size: 1.25rem; margin-bottom: 12px; color: #4C6B48; }
h4, h5, h6 { font-size: 1.1rem; margin-bottom: 8px; color: #4C6B48; }
p, ul, ol, li { color: #263215; }
p { margin-bottom: 12px; }
ul, ol { margin-bottom: 16px; list-style-position: outside; padding-left: 1.25em; }
li { margin-bottom: 8px; }
a { color: #2A8659; text-decoration: none; transition: color .2s; }
a:hover, a:focus { color: #1A213A; text-decoration: underline; }
button, .cta { font-family: inherit; cursor: pointer; transition: background .2s, box-shadow .2s, color .2s; }
button:focus { outline: 2px solid #2A8659; }

/* =========== BRAND NATURAL COLOR PALETTE =========== */
:root {
  --primary: #1A213A;
  --secondary: #5E82A9;
  --accent: #A0C095;
  --accent-light: #DDEED5;
  --background: #F6F6F3;
  --organic-dark: #263215;
  --organic-green: #4C6B48;
  --nature-earth: #A0907B;
  --nature-moss: #8B9C77;
  --nature-leaf: #B6C9A8;
  --nature-tan: #F0E6D8;
}

/* ========== LAYOUT CONTAINERS ========== */
.container {
  width: 100%;
  max-width: 1180px;
  margin: 0 auto;
  padding: 0 20px;
}
.content-wrapper {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: 24px;
}
.text-section {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: 18px;
  align-items: flex-start;
}
.section {
  margin-bottom: 60px;
  padding: 40px 20px;
}
.card-container { display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; gap: 24px; }
.card {
  margin-bottom: 20px;
  position: relative;
  background: #fff;
  border-radius: 18px;
  box-shadow: 0 4px 24px 0 rgba(44,50,33, .07);
  padding: 30px 22px;
  min-width: 240px;
}
.card-content {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  justify-content: center;
  gap: 16px;
}
.content-grid {
  display: flex;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
  gap: 20px;
  justify-content: space-between;
}
.text-image-section {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 30px;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
}
.testimonial-card {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 12px;
  padding: 24px;
  margin-bottom: 24px;
  background: var(--accent-light);
  box-shadow: 0 2px 12px rgba(44,50,33,.10);
  border-radius: 20px 36px 24px 16px / 20px 32px 18px 20px; /* organic shapes */
  border-left: 5px solid var(--accent);
  max-width: 440px;
}
.feature-item {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  align-items: flex-start;
  gap: 15px;
}

/* ========== ORGANIC/NATURE CORE SECTIONS ========== */
.hero {
  background: linear-gradient(135deg, var(--accent-light) 0%, var(--nature-tan) 100%);
  border-radius: 0 0 54px 25px/0 0 54px 44px;
  margin-bottom: 50px;
  padding: 65px 0 55px 0;
  position: relative;
  overflow: hidden;
}
.hero h1 {
  font-size: 2.25rem;
  color: var(--primary);
  margin-bottom: 14px;
  text-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(160,192,149,.12);
}
.hero p {
  font-size: 1.25rem;
  color: var(--organic-dark);
  margin-bottom: 28px;
  max-width: 540px;
}
.features, .steps, .about, .team, .services, .process, .product-list, .articles, .newsletter, .search, .help, .contact-form, .contact-info, .thank-you, .legal {
  background: #fff;
  border-radius: 32px 54px 40px 28px / 38px 46px 35px 22px;
  box-shadow: 0 2px 24px 0 rgba(44,50,33, .09);
  margin-bottom: 60px;
  padding: 40px 20px;
}
.features h2, .steps h2, .about h2, .team h2, .services h2, .process h2, .product-list h2, .articles h2 {
  color: var(--organic-green);
}

.feature-grid {
  list-style: none;
  display: flex;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
  gap: 24px;
  margin-top: 26px;
}
.feature-grid li {
  display: flex;
  align-items: flex-start;
  gap: 14px;
  background: var(--accent-light);
  border-radius: 18px;
  padding: 20px 24px;
  min-width: 210px;
  flex: 1 1 220px;
  font-weight: 500;
  font-size: 1.05rem;
  color: var(--organic-dark);
  transition: box-shadow .18s;
}
.feature-grid li:hover {
  box-shadow: 0 2px 24px 3px rgba(160,192,149,.14);
}
.feature-grid img {
  width: 32px;
  height: 32px;
  flex-shrink: 0;
  filter: grayscale(25%) brightness(0.8) sepia(0.2) hue-rotate(-20deg) drop-shadow(0 1px 2px #C4D5AC);
}

.steps ol {
  display: flex;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
  gap: 24px;
  margin: 20px 0 22px 0;
  list-style: none;
}
.steps li {
  background: var(--nature-leaf);
  border-radius: 16px 44px 30px 14px / 20px 32px 20px 18px;
  box-shadow: 0 1px 8px 0 rgba(44,50,33, .08);
  padding: 24px 18px;
  min-width: 220px;
  max-width: 290px;
  flex: 1 1 210px;
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: 13px;
  align-items: flex-start;
  margin-bottom: 8px;
  font-size: 1rem;
}
.steps img {
  width: 30px; height: 30px; filter: grayscale(25%) contrast(.9) hue-rotate(-10deg); margin-bottom: 6px;
}

.team .content-wrapper,
.services .content-wrapper {
  flex-direction: row;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
  gap: 28px;
}
.team-bio, .services ul li {
  background: var(--accent-light);
  border-radius: 18px;
  box-shadow: 0 2px 10px 0 rgba(44,50,33, .06);
  padding: 22px 18px 16px 18px;
  min-width: 200px;
  flex: 1 1 225px;
  margin-bottom: 8px;
  color: var(--organic-dark);
}
.services ul, .product-list ul, .articles ul {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: 14px;
  list-style: none;
}
.services ul li img {
  width: 30px; height: 30px; margin-right: 9px; float: left;
}

/************** CTA SECTIONS **************/
.cta {
  background: linear-gradient(102deg, var(--accent-light) 0%, var(--nature-leaf) 100%);
  border-radius: 22px 48px 32px 18px / 20px 38px 24px 36px;
  margin-bottom: 0;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  padding: 38px 0;
}
.cta h2 { color: var(--organic-green); font-size: 1.8rem; }
.cta p { color: var(--organic-dark); }

/************* BUTTONS + CTA BUTTONS **************/
.cta.primary, .cta.secondary, button, .mobile-menu-toggle, .mobile-menu-close {
  display: inline-block;
  padding: 12px 30px;
  border-radius: 40px;
  border: none;
  font-size: 1.06rem;
  font-weight: 700;
  letter-spacing: 1px;
  background: var(--primary);
  color: #fff;
  box-shadow: 0 3px 14px rgba(44,50,33,.15);
  margin-top: 8px;
  transition: background .18s, color .15s, box-shadow .18s, transform .12s;
  outline: none;
  text-align: center;
  cursor: pointer;
}
.cta.primary:hover, .cta.primary:focus, button:hover, button:focus, .mobile-menu-toggle:hover, .mobile-menu-toggle:focus {
  background: var(--organic-green);
  color: #fff;
  box-shadow: 0 6px 22px rgba(68,172,122,0.15);
  transform: translateY(-2px) scale(1.025);
}
.cta.secondary {
  background: var(--accent);
  color: var(--organic-dark);
  box-shadow: 0 2px 12px rgba(160,192,149,.12);
  margin-top: 0;
}
.cta.secondary:hover, .cta.secondary:focus {
  background: var(--organic-green);
  color: #fff;
}

/************* NAVIGATION (DESKTOP & MOBILE) **************/
header {
  background: #fff;
  box-shadow: 0 4px 28px 0 rgba(44,50,33, .09);
  position: sticky;
  top: 0;
  z-index: 99;
}
header .container {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: space-between;
  gap: 36px;
  padding-top: 18px;
  padding-bottom: 18px;
}
header nav {
  display: flex;
  gap: 24px;
  align-items: center;
}
header nav a {
  color: var(--organic-dark);
  font-family: 'Montserrat', Arial, sans-serif;
  font-weight: 500;
  padding: 6px 0;
  border-bottom: 2.5px solid transparent;
  border-radius: 2px;
  transition: border-color .18s, color .13s;
}
header nav a:hover, header nav a:focus {
  border-bottom: 2.5px solid var(--organic-green);
  color: var(--organic-green);
  background: none;
}
header img[alt="Arcadia Mist"] {
  height: 44px;
  width: auto;
}
header .cta.primary {
  margin-left: 12px;
  padding: 10px 24px;
  font-size: 1rem;
}

/**** MOBILE NAVIGATION ****/
.mobile-menu-toggle {
  background: var(--accent);
  color: var(--organic-dark);
  border: none;
  width: 44px;
  height: 44px;
  border-radius: 40px;
  font-size: 2rem;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  display: none;
  z-index: 120;
}
.mobile-menu-toggle:active { background: var(--organic-green); color: #fff; }

.mobile-menu {
  position: fixed;
  right: 0;
  top: 0;
  height: 100vh;
  width: 100vw;
  background: rgba(34,40,21,0.05);
  backdrop-filter: blur(3.5px);
  z-index: 130;
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: row;
  justify-content: flex-end;
  pointer-events: none;
  opacity: 0;
  transition: opacity .2s;
}
.mobile-menu.open {
  pointer-events: auto;
  opacity: 1;
}
.mobile-menu nav.mobile-nav {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: 22px;
  background: #fff;
  border-radius: 26px 0 0 26px;
  box-shadow: -2px 0 12px 2px rgba(160,192,149,.10);
  min-width: 255px;
  max-width: 94vw;
  height: 100vh;
  padding: 48px 32px 28px 30px;
  transform: translateX(100%);
  transition: transform .28s cubic-bezier(.6, .2, .22, 1.3);
}
.mobile-menu.open nav.mobile-nav {
  transform: translateX(0);
}
.mobile-nav a {
  color: var(--organic-dark);
  font-size: 1.09rem;
  font-weight: 500;
  text-decoration: none;
  border-bottom: 1.5px solid transparent;
  padding: 10px 0;
  border-radius: 4px;
  transition: background .12s, color .13s;
  display: block;
}
.mobile-nav a:hover, .mobile-nav a:focus {
  background: var(--accent-light);
  color: var(--organic-green);
  border-bottom: 1.5px solid var(--organic-green);
}
.mobile-menu-close {
  position: absolute;
  top: 14px;
  right: 19px;
  z-index: 140;
  background: var(--accent);
  color: var(--organic-dark);
  border: none;
  width: 36px;
  height: 36px;
  border-radius: 40px;
  font-size: 1.25rem;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  transition: background .14s, color .16s;
}
.mobile-menu-close:hover, .mobile-menu-close:focus {
  background: var(--organic-green);
  color: #fff;
}

/* Hide navigation/show burger on mobile */
@media (max-width: 1024px) {
  header nav, header .cta.primary { display: none; }
  .mobile-menu-toggle { display: flex; }
}
@media (min-width: 1025px) {
  .mobile-menu { display: none !important; }
}


/*************** FOOTER ***************/
footer {
  background: #fff;
  border-top-left-radius: 32px;
  border-top-right-radius: 12px;
  box-shadow: 0 -4px 24px 0 rgba(44,50,33, .07);
  padding: 42px 0 0 0;
  margin-top: 60px;
}
footer .container {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: 38px;
}
.footer-menus {
  display: flex;
  align-items: flex-start;
  gap: 34px;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
  margin-bottom: 18px;
}
.footer-menus nav {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: 10px;
}
.footer-menus a {
  color: var(--organic-dark);
  font-size: 1rem;
  opacity: .90;
  transition: color .14s;
}
.footer-menus a:hover, .footer-menus a:focus {
  color: var(--organic-green);
  text-decoration: underline;
}
.footer-brand-contact {
  display: flex;
  align-items: flex-start;
  gap: 24px;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
  padding-top: 12px;
  padding-bottom: 12px;
}
.footer-brand-contact img[alt="Arcadia Mist"] {
  height: 44px;
  width: auto;
  margin-right: 12px;
}
.footer-brand-contact p {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  font-size: 0.97rem;
  margin-bottom: 7px;
  color: var(--organic-dark);
  font-family: 'Roboto', sans-serif;
  gap: 7px;
  white-space: nowrap;
}
.footer-brand-contact img {
  width: 20px; height: 20px; margin-right: 5px;
}
.footer-legal {
  border-top: 1px solid var(--nature-leaf);
  padding: 14px 0 5px 0;
  font-size: .96rem;
  color: var(--organic-dark);
}
.footer-legal p { color: var(--organic-dark); opacity: 0.7; }


/***** BLOG & ARTICLES *****/
.categories-menu {
  display: flex;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
  gap: 16px;
  margin-bottom: 18px;
  margin-top: 9px;
}
.categories-menu a {
  background: var(--nature-leaf);
  color: var(--primary);
  padding: 8px 18px;
  border-radius: 16px;
  font-weight: 500;
  transition: background .13s, color .13s;
}
.categories-menu a:hover, .categories-menu a:focus { background: var(--accent); color: #fff; }
.featured-articles {
  background: var(--accent-light);
  border-radius: 16px;
  margin-top: 20px;
  padding: 19px 18px;
}
.featured-articles h3 {
  font-size: 1.17rem;
  color: var(--organic-green);
}

/********** NEWSLETTER SECTION **********/
.newsletter ul {
  display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 13px; list-style: disc inside;
}

/********** FAQ/HELP *********/
.faq-list { background: var(--accent-light); border-radius: 15px; padding: 18px 20px; box-shadow: 0 2px 10px 0 rgba(100, 140, 90,.08); }
.faq-list h3 { color: var(--organic-green); font-size: 1.14rem; }

/********* LEGAL PAGE *********/
.legal h1 { font-size: 2rem; color: var(--organic-green); margin-bottom: 20px; }
.legal h2 {
  color: var(--primary);
  font-size: 1.2rem;
  margin-top: 24px;
  margin-bottom: 10px;
}
.legal p, .legal ul { font-size: 1.04rem; }

/********* THANK YOU PAGE ***********/
.thank-you .cta.primary { margin-top: 22px; }

/************ TESTIMONIALS ***********/
.testimonials .content-wrapper {
  display: flex;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
  gap: 24px;
  justify-content: flex-start;
  margin-top: 20px;
}
.testimonial-card p {
  color: #263215;
  font-size: 1.09rem;
  font-weight: 500;
  margin-bottom: 7px;
}
.testimonial-card span {
  color: #456832;
  font-size: .99rem;
  font-style: italic;
  opacity: .75;
}
.testimonial-card::before {
  content: "";
  display: block;
  width: 38px;
  height: 30px;
  background: url('../assets/icons/icon-leaf.svg') center/contain no-repeat;
  position: absolute;
  left: -26px;
  top: 12px;
  opacity: 0.17;
  z-index: 0;
  pointer-events: none;
}

/*********** RESPONSIVE DESIGN ***********/
@media (max-width: 900px) {
  .container { max-width: 97vw; padding: 0 8px; }
  .section, .features, .steps, .about, .team, .services, .process, .product-list, .articles, .newsletter, .search, .help, .contact-form, .contact-info, .thank-you, .legal {
    padding: 28px 8px;
  }
  .footer-menus { gap: 20px; }
  .footer-brand-contact { gap: 12px; }
}
@media (max-width: 768px) {
  h1 { font-size: 1.8rem; }
  h2 { font-size: 1.32rem; }
  .hero { padding: 38px 0 29px 0; border-radius: 0 0 32px 12px/0 0 32px 10px; }
  .feature-grid, .steps ol, .team .content-wrapper, .services .content-wrapper, .testimonials .content-wrapper {
    flex-direction: column;
    gap: 16px;
  }
  .testimonial-card, .team-bio, .services ul li, .card, .feature-grid li {
    min-width: 0;
    max-width: initial;
    width: 100%;
  }
  .testimonials .content-wrapper { gap: 16px; }
  .card-container, .content-grid { flex-direction: column; gap: 18px; }
  .text-image-section { flex-direction: column; gap: 20px; }
}
@media (max-width: 540px) {
  .container { padding: 0 4px; }
  h1, .hero h1 { font-size: 1.18rem; }
  .cta h2 { font-size: 1.19rem; }
  .main { padding: 0; }
}

/**************** ANIMATIONS & MICRO-INTERACTIONS ****************/
.card, .feature-grid li, .testimonial-card, .card-content, .cta.primary, .cta.secondary, .footer-brand-contact img {
  transition: box-shadow .18s, transform .12s, background .15s, color .14s;
}
.card:hover, .feature-grid li:hover, .testimonial-card:hover, .team-bio:hover {
  box-shadow: 0 4px 28px 8px rgba(160,192,149,.16);
  transform: translateY(-2px) scale(1.015);
}

/******************* COOKIE CONSENT BANNER *******************/
#cookie-banner {
  position: fixed;
  left: 0;
  right: 0;
  bottom: 0;
  z-index: 1999;
  background: linear-gradient(90deg, var(--accent-light) 78%, var(--nature-leaf) 100%);
  box-shadow: 0 -2px 14px rgba(160,192,149,.15);
  padding: 20px 13vw 20px 24px;
  display: flex;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 20px;
  font-size: 1rem;
  transition: transform .18s cubic-bezier(.7, .1, .3, 1.7), opacity .18s;
}
#cookie-banner.hide { transform: translateY(120%); opacity: 0; pointer-events: none; }
#cookie-banner p { margin: 0; flex: 2; color: var(--organic-dark); font-size: .99rem; }
#cookie-banner .cookie-actions {
  display: flex;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
  gap: 12px;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: flex-end;
}
#cookie-banner button {
  background: var(--primary);
  color: #fff;
  border: none;
  padding: 10px 22px;
  border-radius: 30px;
  font-weight: 600;
  font-size: .98rem;
  margin-right: 0;
  cursor: pointer;
}
#cookie-banner .cookie-settings {
  background: var(--accent);
  color: var(--organic-dark);
}
#cookie-banner .cookie-settings:hover { background: var(--organic-green); color: #fff; }
#cookie-banner .cookie-reject {
  background: var(--nature-earth);
  color: #333820;
}
#cookie-banner .cookie-reject:hover { background: var(--organic-green); color: #fff; }
#cookie-banner .cookie-accept:hover { background: var(--organic-green); }

@media (max-width: 768px){
  #cookie-banner { flex-direction: column; padding: 18px 12px 18px 12px; gap: 16px; font-size: 0.97rem; }
}

/***************** COOKIE MODAL *****************/
#cookie-modal {
  position: fixed;
  z-index: 2100;
  left: 0; top: 0;width: 100vw; height: 100vh;
  background: rgba(44,50,33, .25);
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  pointer-events: none;
  opacity: 0;
  transition: opacity .2s;
}
#cookie-modal.open { pointer-events: auto; opacity: 1; }
#cookie-modal .modal-content {
  background: #fff;
  border-radius: 36px 24px 20px 44px / 26px 32px 20px 42px;
  box-shadow: 0 4px 32px 0 rgba(68,172,122, .15);
  max-width: 420px;
  width: 92vw;
  padding: 34px 28px 28px 28px;
  text-align: left;
  position: relative;
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: 18px;
}
#cookie-modal .modal-content h3 {
  font-family: 'Montserrat', Arial, sans-serif; color: var(--organic-green); font-size: 1.16rem; margin-bottom:4px;
}
#cookie-modal .modal-content ul {
  list-style: none; padding: 0; margin-bottom: 12px;
  display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 12px;
}
#cookie-modal .cookie-category {
  display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 17px; font-size: 1.03rem;
}
#cookie-modal .cookie-toggle {
  width: 38px; height: 20px; background: var(--accent-light); border-radius: 14px; position: relative; margin-left: 7px; transition: background .14s;
}
#cookie-modal .cookie-toggle input { display: none; }
#cookie-modal .cookie-toggle span {
  display: block; width: 18px; height: 18px; border-radius: 50%; background: var(--accent);
  position: absolute; top: 1px; left: 2px; transition: left .18s;
}
#cookie-modal .cookie-toggle.active { background: var(--accent); }
#cookie-modal .cookie-toggle.active span {
  background: var(--organic-green); left: 17px;
}
#cookie-modal .cookie-category[data-essential] .cookie-toggle {
  background: #DDEED5; border: 1.5px solid var(--accent);
}
#cookie-modal .modal-actions {
  display: flex;
  gap: 10px;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
  margin-top: 14px;
}
#cookie-modal .modal-actions button {
  background: var(--primary);
  color: #fff;
  border: none;
  padding: 10px 22px;
  border-radius: 28px;
  font-weight: 600;
  font-size: .99rem;
  outline: none;
}
#cookie-modal .modal-actions .modal-cancel {
  background: var(--nature-leaf);
  color: var(--primary);
}
#cookie-modal .modal-actions .modal-cancel:hover { background: var(--organic-green); color: #fff; }
#cookie-modal .modal-actions button:hover { background: var(--organic-green); color: #fff; }
#cookie-modal .close-modal {
  position: absolute;
  right: 16px;
  top: 16px;
  background: var(--accent-light);
  color: var(--organic-dark);
  border: none;
  border-radius: 40px;
  width: 29px;
  height: 29px;
  font-size: 1.2rem;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
}
#cookie-modal .close-modal:hover{ background: var(--organic-green); color: #fff; }

/******** UTILITY CLASSES *********/
.mt-0 { margin-top: 0 !important; }
.gap-8 { gap: 8px !important; }
.gap-12 { gap: 12px !important; }
.gap-18 { gap: 18px !important; }
.gap-24 { gap: 24px !important; }
.mb-24 { margin-bottom: 24px !important; }
.pb-0 { padding-bottom: 0!important; }

/***** FORMS & INPUTS ******/
input, textarea, select{
  font-family: inherit;
  font-size: 1rem;
  padding: 10px 16px;
  border-radius: 15px;
  border: 1.5px solid var(--nature-leaf);
  background: #fff;
  box-shadow: 0 2px 10px rgba(160,192,149,.08);
  margin-bottom: 14px;
  width: 100%;
  transition: border-color .14s, box-shadow .14s;
}
input:focus, textarea:focus, select:focus {
  border-color: var(--accent);
  box-shadow: 0 2px 11px 0 rgba(76,107,72,.08);
  outline: none;
}

/************* END OF CSS *************/