.connect-outer {
  background: var(--page-bg);
  padding: 60px var(--page-margin) 30px;
}

.connect-title {
  text-align: center;
  color: var(--gold);
  font-size: clamp(30px, 4vw, 46px);
  font-weight: 800;
  margin: 0 0 40px;
}

.connect-card {
  max-width: 1400px;
  margin: 0 auto;
  background: var(--bg-dark);
  border-radius: 28px;
  padding: 56px 60px;
  display: flex;
  gap: 60px;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
}

.connect-info {
  flex: 1 1 380px;
  min-width: 280px;
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  padding-top: 80px; /* Adjust this value */
}

.connect-info h3 {
  color: var(--gold-light);
  font-size: clamp(26px, 2.8vw, 34px);
  font-weight: 700;
  margin: 0 0 20px;
}

.connect-info p {
  color: var(--gray-text);
  font-size: 17px;
  line-height: 1.75;
  max-width: 480px;
  margin: 0;
}

.connect-form {
  flex: 1 1 420px;
  min-width: 280px;
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: 22px;
}

.form-field label {
  display: block;
  color: var(--gray-text);
  font-size: 14px;
  margin-bottom: 8px;
}

.form-field input,
.form-field textarea {
  width: 100%;
  background: transparent;
  border: 1.5px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.5);
  border-radius: 10px;
  padding: 14px 16px;
  color: var(--white);
  font-size: 15px;
  font-family: inherit;
  outline: none;
  transition: border-color 0.25s var(--ease-natural), box-shadow 0.25s var(--ease-natural);
}

.form-field input::placeholder,
.form-field textarea::placeholder {
  color: rgba(245,243,239,0.5);
}

.form-field input:focus,
.form-field textarea:focus {
  border-color: var(--gold);
  box-shadow: 0 0 0 3px rgba(242,169,59,0.15);
}

.form-field textarea {
  resize: vertical;
  min-height: 110px;
}

.connect-form .cta-btn {
  align-self: flex-end;
  padding: 14px 34px;
  position: relative;
}

.connect-form .cta-btn:disabled {
  opacity: 0.6;
  cursor: default;
  transform: none;
}

.form-status {
  font-size: 14.5px;
  margin: 0;
  min-height: 20px;
  transition: opacity 0.3s var(--ease-natural);
}

.form-status.success { color: #8fd19e; }
.form-status.error { color: #e08a8a; }

/* Honeypot field — hidden from real visitors, catches spam bots */
.hp-field {
  position: absolute;
  left: -9999px;
  top: -9999px;
}

@media (max-width: 700px) {
  .connect-card {
    padding: 36px 24px;
  }

  .connect-form .cta-btn {
    align-self: stretch;
    text-align: center;
  }
}