diff --git a/firmware/main.py b/firmware/main.py
index c6d0ba3..6b02bed 100644
--- a/firmware/main.py
+++ b/firmware/main.py
@@ -105,17 +105,24 @@ MOOD_COLORS = {
     "sleep":      (20, 22, 35),
 }
 
-JAW_COLOR = (0, 200, 255)
+# Jaw color breakpoints for amplitude-based color shift
+# (threshold 0-100, r, g, b)
+JAW_COLOR_LO = (0, 200, 255)     # Cyan at low amplitude
+JAW_COLOR_MID = (200, 240, 255)  # White-ish at mid amplitude
+JAW_COLOR_HI = (255, 220, 180)   # Warm at high amplitude
+JAW_CENTER = JAW_OFFSET + 6      # Center LED index in strip (index 7)
 
 
 # === Animation state ===
 mood_mode = "idle"
 jaw_mode = "off"
 jaw_amplitude = 0  # 0-100, set by bare integer commands
+jaw_peak = 0       # Current display level with peak+decay (0-100)
 
 # Per-animation persistent state
 larson_pos = 0
 larson_dir = 1
+larson_tick = 0
 wave_offset = 0.0
 # Sparkle buffer: store per-LED brightness as fixed-point (0-255)
 sparkle_buf = array.array("B", [0] * MOOD_LEDS)
@@ -179,12 +186,12 @@ def tick_wave(color):
         brightness = 51 + ((204 * raw) >> 8)
         ar[i] = scale_color_grb(r, g, b, brightness)
     mood.show()
-    wave_offset += 0.5
+    wave_offset += 0.25
 
 
 def tick_larson(color):
-    """Larson scanner (bouncing dot with trail)."""
-    global larson_pos, larson_dir
+    """Larson scanner (bouncing dot with trail). Advances every 2nd frame."""
+    global larson_pos, larson_dir, larson_tick
     r, g, b = color
     ar = mood.ar
     # Clear
@@ -201,13 +208,17 @@ def tick_larson(color):
             fade = _sine_table[(SINE_TABLE_SIZE // 4 - (t * SINE_TABLE_SIZE // 32)) % SINE_TABLE_SIZE]
             ar[idx] = scale_color_grb(r, g, b, fade)
     mood.show()
-    larson_pos += larson_dir
-    if larson_pos >= MOOD_LEDS - 1:
-        larson_pos = MOOD_LEDS - 1
-        larson_dir = -1
-    elif larson_pos <= 0:
-        larson_pos = 0
-        larson_dir = 1
+    # Advance position every 2nd frame
+    larson_tick += 1
+    if larson_tick >= 2:
+        larson_tick = 0
+        larson_pos += larson_dir
+        if larson_pos >= MOOD_LEDS - 1:
+            larson_pos = MOOD_LEDS - 1
+            larson_dir = -1
+        elif larson_pos <= 0:
+            larson_pos = 0
+            larson_dir = 1
 
 
 def tick_sparkle(color):
@@ -216,10 +227,10 @@ def tick_sparkle(color):
     ar = mood.ar
     buf = sparkle_buf
     for i in range(MOOD_LEDS):
-        # Decay existing brightness by ~15%: multiply by 217/256
-        v = (buf[i] * 217) >> 8
-        # Random spawn: ~15% chance = getrandbits check
-        if getrandbits(3) == 0:  # 1/8 = 12.5%, close enough to 15%
+        # Decay existing brightness by ~10%: multiply by 230/256
+        v = (buf[i] * 230) >> 8
+        # Random spawn: ~6% chance
+        if getrandbits(4) == 0:  # 1/16 = 6.25%
             v = 255
         buf[i] = v
         ar[i] = scale_color_grb(r, g, b, v)
@@ -237,37 +248,84 @@ def tick_mood(now_ms):
         return
 
     if mode == "idle":
-        tick_pulse(now_ms, color, 500, 51, 204)      # 0.5 Hz, 20-80%
+        tick_pulse(now_ms, color, 250, 51, 204)      # 0.25 Hz, 20-80%
     elif mode == "listening":
-        tick_pulse(now_ms, color, 2000, 153, 255)     # 2.0 Hz, 60-100%
+        tick_pulse(now_ms, color, 1000, 153, 255)     # 1.0 Hz, 60-100%
     elif mode == "responding":
         tick_wave(color)
     elif mode == "pleasure":
-        tick_pulse(now_ms, color, 800, 77, 230)       # 0.8 Hz, 30-90%
+        tick_pulse(now_ms, color, 400, 77, 230)       # 0.4 Hz, 30-90%
     elif mode == "thinking":
         tick_larson(color)
     elif mode == "playful":
         tick_sparkle(color)
     elif mode == "commanding":
-        tick_pulse(now_ms, color, 3000, 128, 255)     # 3.0 Hz, 50-100%
+        tick_pulse(now_ms, color, 1500, 128, 255)     # 1.5 Hz, 50-100%
     elif mode == "love":
-        tick_pulse(now_ms, color, 600, 102, 230)      # 0.6 Hz, 40-90%
+        tick_pulse(now_ms, color, 300, 102, 230)      # 0.3 Hz, 40-90%
     elif mode == "sleep":
-        tick_pulse(now_ms, color, 200, 26, 77)        # 0.2 Hz, 10-30%
+        tick_pulse(now_ms, color, 100, 26, 77)        # 0.1 Hz, 10-30%
 
 
 # === Jaw animation ticks ===
 
+def _jaw_color_for_amp(amp):
+    """Interpolate jaw color based on amplitude 0-100. Returns (r, g, b)."""
+    if amp <= 33:
+        # Blend lo -> mid over 0-33
+        t = (amp * 256) // 33  # 0-256
+        r = JAW_COLOR_LO[0] + ((JAW_COLOR_MID[0] - JAW_COLOR_LO[0]) * t >> 8)
+        g = JAW_COLOR_LO[1] + ((JAW_COLOR_MID[1] - JAW_COLOR_LO[1]) * t >> 8)
+        b = JAW_COLOR_LO[2] + ((JAW_COLOR_MID[2] - JAW_COLOR_LO[2]) * t >> 8)
+    else:
+        # Blend mid -> hi over 34-100
+        t = ((amp - 34) * 256) // 66  # 0-256
+        r = JAW_COLOR_MID[0] + ((JAW_COLOR_HI[0] - JAW_COLOR_MID[0]) * t >> 8)
+        g = JAW_COLOR_MID[1] + ((JAW_COLOR_HI[1] - JAW_COLOR_MID[1]) * t >> 8)
+        b = JAW_COLOR_MID[2] + ((JAW_COLOR_HI[2] - JAW_COLOR_MID[2]) * t >> 8)
+    return (r, g, b)
+
+
 def jaw_set_amplitude(amp):
-    """Set jaw LEDs based on amplitude 0-100."""
-    num_lit = (amp * JAW_USABLE) // 100
-    r, g, b = JAW_COLOR
-    on = pack_grb(r, g, b)
+    """Symmetric VU bar from center with peak+decay and color shift."""
+    global jaw_peak
+    # Peak+decay: snap up, smooth decay down
+    if amp >= jaw_peak:
+        jaw_peak = amp
+    else:
+        jaw_peak = jaw_peak - (jaw_peak - amp) * 0.3
+        if jaw_peak < 0.5:
+            jaw_peak = 0
+
+    display = int(jaw_peak)
     ar = jaw.ar
     ar[0] = 0  # Damaged LED always off
+
+    if display == 0:
+        for i in range(JAW_OFFSET, JAW_LEDS):
+            ar[i] = 0
+        jaw.show()
+        return
+
+    r, g, b = _jaw_color_for_amp(display)
+    on = pack_grb(r, g, b)
+
+    # How many LEDs per side (0-6), plus center = 1 + 2*num_side
+    # At amp 100: num_side = 6 (all 13 lit). At amp ~8: num_side = 0 (center only)
+    num_side_256 = (display * 6 * 256) // 100  # fixed-point 0..6*256
+    num_side_full = num_side_256 >> 8           # whole LEDs per side
+    edge_brightness = num_side_256 & 0xFF       # fractional part for edge LED
+
     for i in range(JAW_OFFSET, JAW_LEDS):
-        if i - JAW_OFFSET < num_lit:
+        dist = abs(i - JAW_CENTER)  # distance from center (0-6)
+        if dist == 0:
+            # Center always on when amp > 0
             ar[i] = on
+        elif dist <= num_side_full:
+            ar[i] = on
+        elif dist == num_side_full + 1 and edge_brightness > 0:
+            # Edge LED with fractional brightness
+            ar[i] = scale_color_grb(r, g, b, edge_brightness)
         else:
             ar[i] = 0
     jaw.show()
@@ -293,10 +351,10 @@ def tick_jaw(now_ms):
         amp = (val * 100) >> 8  # Scale to 0-100
         jaw_set_amplitude(amp)
     elif mode == "idle":
-        # Subtle dim glow
+        # Subtle dim glow from center
         ar = jaw.ar
         ar[0] = 0
-        dim = scale_color_grb(JAW_COLOR[0], JAW_COLOR[1], JAW_COLOR[2], 15)
+        dim = scale_color_grb(JAW_COLOR_LO[0], JAW_COLOR_LO[1], JAW_COLOR_LO[2], 15)
         for i in range(JAW_OFFSET, JAW_LEDS):
             ar[i] = dim
         jaw.show()
@@ -358,9 +416,10 @@ def process_command(line):
 
 def _reset_mood_state():
     """Reset per-animation state on mode switch."""
-    global larson_pos, larson_dir, wave_offset
+    global larson_pos, larson_dir, larson_tick, wave_offset
     larson_pos = 0
     larson_dir = 1
+    larson_tick = 0
     wave_offset = 0.0
     for i in range(MOOD_LEDS):
         sparkle_buf[i] = 0