 
   for (uint8_t v = val; v != new_val; v += incr) {
     for (int i = 0; i < NUM_LEDS; i++) {
-      leds[i] = CHSV(hue, 255, v);
+      if (initialized) {
+        leds[i] = CHSV(hue, 255, v);
+      } else {
+        leds[i] = CRGB(v, v, v);
+      }
     }
     FastLED.show();
 

          break;
      }

      fade(PULSE_MIN_VAL, CHANGE_DURATION / 2);
    }
  }


// state
CRGB leds[NUM_LEDS];
bool initialized;
uint8_t hue;
uint8_t val;
bool pulse;
long pulse_duration;



