diff --git a/src/components/hero/AnimatedBackground.tsx b/src/components/hero/AnimatedBackground.tsx
index 1f8d47f..3dc7601 100644
--- a/src/components/hero/AnimatedBackground.tsx
+++ b/src/components/hero/AnimatedBackground.tsx
@@ -23,22 +23,21 @@ import { useEffect, useRef } from 'react';
 interface Props {
   /** Show the canvas star field. Off on interest pages for a calmer feel. */
   particles?: boolean;
-  /** Tailwind/className passthrough for the root. */
-  className?: string;
   /**
-   * Opt-in View Transition name. Unset by default. The View Transitions API
-   * requires this name to be UNIQUE within a page snapshot, so the page must
-   * opt in on AT MOST ONE field (typically the hero). Applied via the `.vt-sky`
-   * CSS class rather than React's inline style to avoid an SSR/hydration
-   * attribute mismatch.
+   * Tailwind/className passthrough for the root. The CALL SITE (in .astro) is
+   * responsible for including `vt-sky` here when this element should carry the
+   * `view-transition-name: sky` morph. We intentionally do NOT compute the
+   * transition class inside this React component: any conditional className
+   * interpolation causes a server/client hydration attribute mismatch under
+   * Astro's client:idle. Passing a static, fully-formed string guarantees the
+   * server-rendered and hydrated class attributes are byte-identical.
    */
-  transitionName?: 'sky';
+  className?: string;
 }
 
 export default function AnimatedBackground({
   particles = true,
   className = '',
-  transitionName,
 }: Props) {
   const canvasRef = useRef<HTMLCanvasElement>(null);
 
@@ -135,11 +134,12 @@ export default function AnimatedBackground({
       const cy = 0;
       const maxR = Math.sqrt(cx * cx + height * height) + 40;
 
-      // One star per ~3200 px^2 of the disk, capped for perf (~14% anchors).
+      // Dense starfield: ~3x the previous density for a richly star-packed sky.
+      // One star per ~1100 px^2 of the disk, capped for perf (~15% anchors).
       const diskArea = Math.PI * maxR * maxR;
-      const count = Math.min(520, Math.floor(diskArea / 3200));
+      const count = Math.min(1500, Math.floor(diskArea / 1100));
       stars = Array.from({ length: count }, (_, i) => {
-        const anchor = i % 7 === 0; // ~14% anchors -> dense constellation backbone
+        const anchor = i % 7 === 0; // ~15% anchors -> dense constellation backbone
         // Uniform-ish distribution across the disk via sqrt on radius.
         const rr = maxR * Math.sqrt(Math.random());
         const a = Math.random() * Math.PI * 2;
@@ -321,11 +321,9 @@ export default function AnimatedBackground({
     };
   }, [particles]);
 
-  const skyClass = transitionName === 'sky' ? 'vt-sky' : '';
-
   return (
     <div
-      className={`pointer-events-none absolute inset-0 -z-10 overflow-hidden ${skyClass} ${className}`}
+      className={`pointer-events-none absolute inset-0 -z-10 overflow-hidden ${className}`}
       aria-hidden="true"
     >
       {/* Layer 1: night-sky gradient — deep blue, darker at top, lighter toward
diff --git a/src/components/layout/InterestHero.astro b/src/components/layout/InterestHero.astro
index 525c404..95aca1b 100644
--- a/src/components/layout/InterestHero.astro
+++ b/src/components/layout/InterestHero.astro
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ const {
 <section class="relative min-h-[60vh] overflow-hidden pt-28 sm:pt-32">
   <!-- Full animated Milky Way field + stars (matches the Home/Interests hero).
        Carries the per-page morph name (one .vt-sky per page snapshot). -->
-  <AnimatedBackground client:idle transitionName="sky" />
+  <AnimatedBackground client:idle className="vt-sky" />
 
   <div class="container-prose relative z-10 flex flex-col items-start gap-6 py-16">
     <Reveal>
diff --git a/src/components/layout/SectionHeader.astro b/src/components/layout/SectionHeader.astro
index 34af958..f30ec3d 100644
--- a/src/components/layout/SectionHeader.astro
+++ b/src/components/layout/SectionHeader.astro
@@ -5,8 +5,12 @@
  * Reusable section title block: a mono "kicker" (e.g. "02"), an h2 heading, and
  * an optional supporting line. Keeps section openers visually consistent.
  *
- * The kicker is rendered as a monospace number/label per the spec's "Accent/
- * quotes: a monospace or display font sparingly for section numbers" guidance.
+ * `tone` controls contrast:
+ *   - "default" for headers on lighter CONTENT surfaces (uses --color-text /
+ *     --color-text-muted, which are tuned for the page body).
+ *   - "hero" for headers that sit on a dark hero / starfield background: forces
+ *     near-white title + bright subtitle + a glowing kicker so the text stands
+ *     out against the deep Milky Way field.
  */
 import Icon from "@components/Icon.astro";
 
@@ -20,6 +24,8 @@ interface Props {
   icon?: string;
   class?: string;
   align?: "left" | "center";
+  /** "hero" = bright text for dark backgrounds; "default" = body content. */
+  tone?: "default" | "hero";
 }
 
 const {
@@ -29,7 +35,12 @@ const {
   icon,
   class: className = "",
   align = "left",
+  tone = "default",
 } = Astro.props;
+
+const isHero = tone === "hero";
+const titleColor = isHero ? "var(--color-cream)" : undefined;
+const subtitleColor = isHero ? "var(--color-cream)" : "var(--color-text-muted)";
 ---
 
 <div
@@ -43,19 +54,23 @@ const {
     kicker && (
       <span
         class="inline-flex items-center gap-2 font-mono text-xs uppercase tracking-[0.22em]"
-        style="color: var(--color-accent);"
+        style={
+          isHero
+            ? "color: var(--color-accent); text-shadow: 0 0 14px color-mix(in srgb, var(--color-accent) 45%, transparent);"
+            : "color: var(--color-accent);"
+        }
       >
         {icon && <Icon name={icon} class="h-4 w-4" />}
         {kicker}
       </span>
     )
   }
-  <h2>{title}</h2>
+  <h2 style={titleColor ? `color: ${titleColor};` : undefined}>{title}</h2>
   {
     subtitle && (
       <p
         class="max-w-2xl text-base sm:text-lg"
-        style="color: var(--color-text-muted);"
+        style={`color: ${subtitleColor};${isHero ? " opacity: 0.92;" : ""}`}
       >
         {subtitle}
       </p>
diff --git a/src/components/mystic/CircuitField.tsx b/src/components/mystic/CircuitField.tsx
index 8ade863..fecc480 100644
--- a/src/components/mystic/CircuitField.tsx
+++ b/src/components/mystic/CircuitField.tsx
@@ -16,13 +16,12 @@
 import { useEffect, useRef } from 'react';
 
 interface Props {
-  className?: string;
   /**
-   * Opt-in View Transition name. Unset by default. The page should set this on
-   * AT MOST ONE element per page (the hero field). Applied via the `.vt-sky`
-   * CSS class to avoid an SSR/hydration mismatch with React's inline style.
+   * Tailwind/className passthrough. The .astro call site includes `vt-sky` when
+   * this element should carry the view-transition morph. Not computed here to
+   * avoid a server/client hydration mismatch (see AnimatedBackground).
    */
-  transitionName?: 'sky';
+  className?: string;
 }
 
 interface Trace {
@@ -38,7 +37,6 @@ interface Node {
 
 export default function CircuitField({
   className = '',
-  transitionName,
 }: Props) {
   const canvasRef = useRef<HTMLCanvasElement>(null);
 
@@ -228,13 +226,35 @@ export default function CircuitField({
     };
   }, []);
 
-  const skyClass = transitionName === 'sky' ? 'vt-sky' : '';
-
   return (
-    <canvas
-      ref={canvasRef}
-      className={`pointer-events-none absolute inset-0 h-full w-full ${skyClass} ${className}`}
+    // Root container mirrors AnimatedBackground's structure (gradient layers +
+    // canvas all INSIDE the named element) so the view-transition morph from a
+    // star hero into this circuit field is element-to-element equivalent and
+    // nothing flashes separately. The `vt-sky`/opacity classes are passed via
+    // className from the .astro call site.
+    <div
+      className={`pointer-events-none absolute inset-0 -z-10 overflow-hidden ${className}`}
       aria-hidden="true"
-    />
+    >
+      {/* Base dark purple/blue gradient — the professional hero's atmosphere. */}
+      <div
+        className="absolute inset-0"
+        style={{
+          background:
+            'linear-gradient(160deg, #0a0e2a 0%, #14123a 38%, #1a1648 64%, #0e0c28 100%)',
+        }}
+      />
+      {/* Animated violet/teal nebula clouds for depth + motion. */}
+      <div
+        className="animate-gradient-shift absolute inset-0"
+        style={{
+          backgroundImage:
+            'radial-gradient(50% 60% at 18% 20%, rgba(139, 123, 216, 0.28), transparent 62%), radial-gradient(45% 55% at 85% 15%, rgba(111, 182, 173, 0.16), transparent 60%), radial-gradient(55% 70% at 70% 110%, rgba(139, 123, 216, 0.20), transparent 60%)',
+          backgroundSize: '200% 200%',
+        }}
+      />
+      {/* Circuit traces + nodes + signal pulses. */}
+      <canvas ref={canvasRef} className="absolute inset-0 h-full w-full" />
+    </div>
   );
 }
diff --git a/src/components/mystic/ConstellationField.tsx b/src/components/mystic/ConstellationField.tsx
index 726788e..10d4d73 100644
--- a/src/components/mystic/ConstellationField.tsx
+++ b/src/components/mystic/ConstellationField.tsx
@@ -22,21 +22,15 @@ import { useEffect, useRef } from 'react';
 interface Props {
   /** Density multiplier. 1 = default; lower for quieter sections. */
   density?: number;
-  /** Tailwind/className passthrough for the root. */
-  className?: string;
   /**
-   * Opt-in View Transition name. DEFAULT IS UNSET so the field carries NO
-   * view-transition-name. The View Transitions API requires the name to be
-   * UNIQUE within a single page snapshot; assigning "sky" to every instance
-   * caused "Unexpected duplicate view-transition-name: sky" + transition
-   * aborts. The page should set this on AT MOST ONE field per page (typically
-   * the hero), and it must match the corresponding element on the destination
-   * page for the morph (e.g. constellations -> circuitry) to play.
-   *
-   * Set via the `data-sky` attribute + the `.vt-sky` CSS class (see global.css)
-   * rather than React's inline style, which avoids an SSR/hydration mismatch.
+   * Tailwind/className passthrough. The .astro call site is responsible for
+   * including `vt-sky` when this element should carry the view-transition
+   * morph. We do NOT compute the transition class here: conditional className
+   * interpolation triggers a server/client hydration attribute mismatch under
+   * Astro's client:idle. A static, fully-formed string keeps SSR and hydration
+   * byte-identical.
    */
-  transitionName?: 'sky';
+  className?: string;
   /** Star color theme. 'gold' leans warm, 'violet' leans mystic. */
   tint?: 'gold' | 'violet' | 'teal';
 }
@@ -44,7 +38,6 @@ interface Props {
 export default function ConstellationField({
   density = 1,
   className = '',
-  transitionName,
   tint = 'gold',
 }: Props) {
   const canvasRef = useRef<HTMLCanvasElement>(null);
@@ -100,10 +93,11 @@ export default function ConstellationField({
       const cy = 0;
       const maxR = Math.sqrt(cx * cx + height * height) + 40;
       // Denser field for richer constellations. One star per ~4500 px^2, scaled
-      // by density; ~15% anchors for a dense constellation backbone.
+      // ~3x density for a richly star-packed sky. One star per ~1500 px^2,
+      // scaled by density; ~15% anchors for a dense constellation backbone.
       const count = Math.min(
-        360,
-        Math.floor(((Math.PI * maxR * maxR) / 4500) * density),
+        900,
+        Math.floor(((Math.PI * maxR * maxR) / 1500) * density),
       );
       stars = Array.from({ length: count }, (_, i) => {
         const anchor = i % 7 === 0;
@@ -243,15 +237,10 @@ export default function ConstellationField({
     };
   }, [density, tint]);
 
-  // Apply the view-transition-name via a CSS class (global.css `.vt-sky`) rather
-  // than React's inline style: avoids an SSR/hydration attribute mismatch and
-  // keeps the name off by default (only one field per page should opt in).
-  const skyClass = transitionName === 'sky' ? 'vt-sky' : '';
-
   return (
     <canvas
       ref={canvasRef}
-      className={`pointer-events-none absolute inset-0 h-full w-full ${skyClass} ${className}`}
+      className={`pointer-events-none absolute inset-0 h-full w-full ${className}`}
       aria-hidden="true"
     />
   );
diff --git a/src/components/nav/NavBar.astro b/src/components/nav/NavBar.astro
index e8e3a01..cd4536e 100644
--- a/src/components/nav/NavBar.astro
+++ b/src/components/nav/NavBar.astro
@@ -10,14 +10,14 @@
  * hairline border + subtle shadow, so content stays readable under the bar.
  * Mobile renders a hamburger (MobileMenu.tsx) with the same two-group structure.
  */
-import Icon from '@components/Icon.astro';
-import MobileMenu from './MobileMenu.tsx';
-import StarBurst from '@components/mystic/StarBurst.astro';
-import { navGroups, siteIdentity } from '@lib/site';
+import Icon from "@components/Icon.astro";
+import MobileMenu from "./MobileMenu.tsx";
+import StarBurst from "@components/mystic/StarBurst.astro";
+import { navGroups, siteIdentity } from "@lib/site";
 
 const path = Astro.url.pathname;
 const isActive = (href: string) =>
-  href === '/' ? path === '/' : path === href || path.startsWith(href + '/');
+  href === "/" ? path === "/" : path === href || path.startsWith(href + "/");
 
 interface Props {
   /** True on the Home page. When false, the nav carries the hero-sky transition
@@ -26,27 +26,46 @@ interface Props {
 }
 const { isHome = false } = Astro.props;
 // On non-Home pages the NavBar is the morph target for the Home hero.
-const heroSkyClass = isHome ? '' : 'vt-hero-sky';
+const heroSkyClass = isHome ? "" : "vt-hero-sky";
 ---
 
 <header
   id="site-nav"
   data-nav
-  class:list={['fixed inset-x-0 top-0 z-50 transition-[background,box-shadow,border-color] duration-300', heroSkyClass]}
+  class:list={[
+    "fixed inset-x-0 top-0 z-50 transition-[background,box-shadow,border-color] duration-300",
+    heroSkyClass,
+  ]}
 >
-  <div class="border-b border-transparent transition-colors duration-300" data-nav-inner>
+  <div
+    class="border-b border-transparent transition-colors duration-300"
+    data-nav-inner
+  >
     <nav
       class="container-prose flex h-16 items-center justify-between gap-4"
       aria-label="Primary"
     >
       <!-- Logo / identity -->
-      <a href="/" class="group flex items-center gap-2 leading-tight" aria-label={`${siteIdentity.name} home`}>
-        <StarBurst class="h-4 w-4 shrink-0 transition-transform duration-700 group-hover:rotate-90" style="color: var(--color-accent);" />
+      <a
+        href="/"
+        class="group flex items-center gap-2 leading-tight"
+        aria-label={`${siteIdentity.name} home`}
+      >
+        <StarBurst
+          class="h-4 w-4 shrink-0 transition-transform duration-700 group-hover:rotate-90"
+          style="color: var(--color-accent);"
+        />
         <span class="flex flex-col">
-          <span class="font-sans text-base font-bold tracking-tight" style="color: var(--color-text);">
+          <span
+            class="font-sans text-base font-bold tracking-tight"
+            style="color: var(--accent);"
+          >
             {siteIdentity.name}
           </span>
-          <span class="hidden font-mono text-[0.65rem] uppercase tracking-[0.18em] sm:block" style="color: var(--color-text-subtle);">
+          <span
+            class="hidden font-mono text-[0.65rem] uppercase tracking-[0.18em] sm:block"
+            style="color: var(--color-text-subtle);"
+          >
             {siteIdentity.tagline}
           </span>
         </span>
@@ -54,28 +73,42 @@ const heroSkyClass = isHome ? '' : 'vt-hero-sky';
 
       <!-- Desktop nav: two groups with a divider -->
       <div class="hidden items-center gap-5 md:flex">
-        {navGroups.map((group, gi) => (
-          <div class:list={['flex items-center gap-1', { 'border-l pl-5': gi > 0 }]} style={gi > 0 ? 'border-color: var(--color-border);' : ''}>
-            {group.items.map((item) => {
-              const active = isActive(item.href);
-              return (
-                <a
-                  href={item.href}
-                  class:list={[
-                    'inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 rounded-md px-3 py-2 text-sm font-medium transition-colors',
-                  ]}
-                  style={active ? 'color: var(--color-accent);' : 'color: var(--color-text-muted);'}
-                  aria-current={active ? 'page' : undefined}
-                >
-                  <Icon name={item.icon} class="h-4 w-4" />
-                  {item.label}
-                </a>
-              );
-            })}
-          </div>
-        ))}
+        {
+          navGroups.map((group, gi) => (
+            <div
+              class:list={[
+                "flex items-center gap-1",
+                { "border-l pl-5": gi > 0 },
+              ]}
+              style={gi > 0 ? "border-color: var(--color-border);" : ""}
+            >
+              {group.items.map((item) => {
+                const active = isActive(item.href);
+                return (
+                  <a
+                    href={item.href}
+                    class:list={[
+                      "inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 rounded-md px-3 py-2 text-sm font-medium transition-colors",
+                    ]}
+                    style={
+                      active
+                        ? "color: var(--color-accent);"
+                        : "color: var(--color-cream); opacity: 0.85;"
+                    }
+                    onmouseover="this.style.opacity='1'"
+                    onmouseout="this.style.opacity='0.85'"
+                    aria-current={active ? "page" : undefined}
+                  >
+                    <Icon name={item.icon} class="h-4 w-4" />
+                    {item.label}
+                  </a>
+                );
+              })}
+            </div>
+          ))
+        }
 
-        <div class="ml-1" />
+        <div class="ml-1"></div>
       </div>
 
       <!-- Mobile controls (theme toggle removed: dark mode is forced for now) -->
@@ -87,13 +120,46 @@ const heroSkyClass = isHome ? '' : 'vt-hero-sky';
 </header>
 
 <style>
-  /* Scrolled state: blur + hairline border + shadow. Toggled by the script below. */
+  /* The nav bar ALWAYS carries the dark purple/blue nebula treatment + lighter
+     text, so it reads as a continuous band of night sky across the top of every
+     page (matching the hero fields). The scrolled state just adds blur + a
+     hairline border + shadow for definition over content. */
+  [data-nav-inner] {
+    background: linear-gradient(
+      180deg,
+      rgba(8, 10, 32, 0.92) 0%,
+      rgba(12, 14, 40, 0.86) 100%
+    );
+  }
+  /* Scrolled state: stronger blur + hairline border + shadow. */
   [data-nav].scrolled [data-nav-inner] {
-    background-color: color-mix(in srgb, var(--color-surface) 78%, transparent);
-    backdrop-filter: saturate(150%) blur(10px);
-    -webkit-backdrop-filter: saturate(150%) blur(10px);
-    border-bottom-color: var(--color-border);
-    box-shadow: 0 8px 30px -20px rgba(11, 16, 38, 0.6);
+    backdrop-filter: saturate(150%) blur(12px);
+    -webkit-backdrop-filter: saturate(150%) blur(12px);
+    border-bottom-color: color-mix(
+      in srgb,
+      var(--color-accent) 30%,
+      var(--color-border)
+    );
+    box-shadow: 0 8px 30px -20px rgba(11, 16, 38, 0.7);
+  }
+  /* A subtle violet/gold nebula glow behind the nav, fixed to the top. */
+  [data-nav]::before {
+    content: "";
+    position: absolute;
+    inset: 0;
+    z-index: -1;
+    pointer-events: none;
+    background:
+      radial-gradient(
+        60% 120% at 85% -20%,
+        rgba(139, 123, 216, 0.22),
+        transparent 70%
+      ),
+      radial-gradient(
+        50% 120% at 10% -10%,
+        rgba(232, 181, 74, 0.1),
+        transparent 70%
+      );
   }
 </style>
 
@@ -103,12 +169,12 @@ const heroSkyClass = isHome ? '' : 'vt-hero-sky';
    * View Transitions navigations so it keeps working across page changes.
    */
   function setupNavScroll() {
-    const nav = document.getElementById('site-nav');
+    const nav = document.getElementById("site-nav");
     if (!nav) return;
-    const onScroll = () => nav.classList.toggle('scrolled', window.scrollY > 8);
+    const onScroll = () => nav.classList.toggle("scrolled", window.scrollY > 8);
     onScroll();
-    window.addEventListener('scroll', onScroll, { passive: true });
+    window.addEventListener("scroll", onScroll, { passive: true });
   }
   setupNavScroll();
-  document.addEventListener('astro:page-load', setupNavScroll);
+  document.addEventListener("astro:page-load", setupNavScroll);
 </script>
diff --git a/src/components/professional/SectionNav.astro b/src/components/professional/SectionNav.astro
index 211f17f..3e924be 100644
--- a/src/components/professional/SectionNav.astro
+++ b/src/components/professional/SectionNav.astro
@@ -6,29 +6,33 @@
  * six anchor sections (Summary, Experience, Skills, Projects, Education,
  * Contact) via smooth scroll. Hidden on small screens where the page reads as a
  * simple scroll. Active state is computed client-side via IntersectionObserver.
+ *
+ * Sits BELOW the hero and is OPAQUE (a solid dark nebula surface) so it remains
+ * readable while scrolling over content. Sticky so it tracks the viewport once
+ * the user scrolls past it.
  */
-import Icon from '@components/Icon.astro';
+import Icon from "@components/Icon.astro";
 const sections = [
-  { id: 'summary', label: 'Summary', icon: 'format-list-text' },
-  { id: 'experience', label: 'Experience', icon: 'timeline-text' },
-  { id: 'skills', label: 'Skills', icon: 'chart-bar' },
-  { id: 'projects', label: 'Projects', icon: 'view-grid' },
-  { id: 'education', label: 'Education', icon: 'school' },
-  { id: 'contact', label: 'Contact', icon: 'email' },
+  { id: "summary", label: "Summary", icon: "format-list-text" },
+  { id: "experience", label: "Experience", icon: "timeline-text" },
+  { id: "skills", label: "Skills", icon: "chart-bar" },
+  { id: "projects", label: "Projects", icon: "view-grid" },
+  { id: "education", label: "Education", icon: "school" },
+  { id: "contact", label: "Contact", icon: "email" },
 ];
 ---
 
 <nav aria-label="Professional sections" class="hidden lg:block">
   <div
-    class="sticky top-24 flex flex-wrap gap-1 rounded-xl border p-1.5"
-    style="border-color: var(--color-border); background: color-mix(in srgb, var(--color-surface-raised) 60%, transparent); backdrop-filter: blur(6px);"
+    class="sticky top-20 z-30 flex flex-wrap gap-1 rounded-xl border p-1.5 shadow-lg"
+    style="border-color: color-mix(in srgb, var(--color-accent) 28%, var(--color-border)); background: linear-gradient(180deg, rgba(12, 14, 40, 0.96), rgba(8, 10, 32, 0.96)); backdrop-filter: blur(8px); -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(8px);"
   >
     {sections.map((s) => (
       <a
         href={`#${s.id}`}
         data-section-link={s.id}
         class="inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 rounded-lg px-3 py-1.5 font-sans text-sm font-medium transition-colors"
-        style="color: var(--color-text-muted);"
+        style="color: var(--color-cream); opacity: 0.7;"
       >
         <Icon name={s.icon} class="h-4 w-4" />
         {s.label}
@@ -41,7 +45,7 @@ const sections = [
   // Highlight the link for whichever section is currently in view.
   function setupSectionSpy() {
     const links = Array.from(
-      document.querySelectorAll<HTMLAnchorElement>('[data-section-link]'),
+      document.querySelectorAll<HTMLAnchorElement>("[data-section-link]"),
     );
     if (!links.length) return;
     const sections = links
@@ -51,10 +55,13 @@ const sections = [
     const setActive = (id: string) => {
       for (const l of links) {
         const active = l.dataset.sectionLink === id;
-        l.style.color = active ? 'var(--color-accent)' : 'var(--color-text-muted)';
+        l.style.color = active
+          ? "var(--color-accent)"
+          : "var(--color-cream)";
+        l.style.opacity = active ? "1" : "0.7";
         l.style.background = active
-          ? 'color-mix(in srgb, var(--color-accent) 14%, transparent)'
-          : 'transparent';
+          ? "color-mix(in srgb, var(--color-accent) 16%, transparent)"
+          : "transparent";
       }
     };
 
@@ -65,10 +72,10 @@ const sections = [
           .sort((a, b) => b.intersectionRatio - a.intersectionRatio)[0];
         if (visible) setActive(visible.target.id);
       },
-      { rootMargin: '-30% 0px -55% 0px', threshold: [0, 0.25, 0.5] },
+      { rootMargin: "-30% 0px -55% 0px", threshold: [0, 0.25, 0.5] },
     );
     sections.forEach((s) => io.observe(s));
   }
   setupSectionSpy();
-  document.addEventListener('astro:page-load', setupSectionSpy);
+  document.addEventListener("astro:page-load", setupSectionSpy);
 </script>
diff --git a/src/pages/about.astro b/src/pages/about.astro
index 10c18f9..c874736 100644
--- a/src/pages/about.astro
+++ b/src/pages/about.astro
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ import SectionHeader from "@components/layout/SectionHeader.astro";
 import SplitTransition from "@components/layout/SplitTransition.astro";
 import CelestialImage from "@components/mystic/CelestialImage.astro";
 import AlchemicalDivider from "@components/mystic/AlchemicalDivider.astro";
-import ConstellationField from "@components/mystic/ConstellationField.tsx";
+import AnimatedBackground from "@components/hero/AnimatedBackground.tsx";
 
 // Spec "Quick Facts", emojis -> mdi icons.
 const quickFacts = [
@@ -37,17 +37,13 @@ const quickFacts = [
   title="About"
   description="The human story behind the resume: Greg Kilmer on curiosity, tabletop RPGs, resin dice, and a Philadelphia apartment with too many board games."
 >
-  <!-- Header -->
-  <section class="relative overflow-hidden pb-10 pt-28 sm:pt-32">
-    <ConstellationField
-      client:idle
-      className="opacity-40"
-      tint="violet"
-      transitionName="sky"
-    />
-    <div class="container-prose relative z-10 flex flex-col gap-10">
+  <!-- Hero — full animated Milky Way field, matching the Interests hero. -->
+  <section class="relative min-h-[60vh] overflow-hidden pt-28 sm:pt-32">
+    <AnimatedBackground client:idle className="vt-sky" />
+    <div class="container-prose relative z-10 flex flex-col gap-10 py-16">
       <Reveal>
         <SectionHeader
+          tone="hero"
           kicker="About"
           icon="account-details"
           title="The person behind the projects"
diff --git a/src/pages/contact.astro b/src/pages/contact.astro
index 9658e2c..5386584 100644
--- a/src/pages/contact.astro
+++ b/src/pages/contact.astro
@@ -155,7 +155,8 @@ const social = [
         </section>
       </Reveal>
 
-      {/* Availability note */}
+      {
+        /* Availability note 
       <Reveal delay={120}>
         <p
           class="rounded-xl border-l-2 p-4 text-sm"
@@ -165,7 +166,8 @@ const social = [
           opportunities in AI/ML, app and cloud development, SAP BTP, and technical
           leadership.
         </p>
-      </Reveal>
+      </Reveal>*/
+      }
     </div>
 
     {/* Right: contact form */}
diff --git a/src/pages/index.astro b/src/pages/index.astro
index 1cb1055..d0235f3 100644
--- a/src/pages/index.astro
+++ b/src/pages/index.astro
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ const cards = [
   <section
     class="vt-hero-sky relative flex min-h-[88vh] items-center overflow-hidden pt-16"
   >
-    <AnimatedBackground client:idle transitionName="sky" />
+    <AnimatedBackground client:idle className="vt-sky" />
 
     <div
       class="container-prose relative z-10 flex flex-col items-start gap-8 py-20"
diff --git a/src/pages/interests/index.astro b/src/pages/interests/index.astro
index 901845e..3d6519e 100644
--- a/src/pages/interests/index.astro
+++ b/src/pages/interests/index.astro
@@ -78,12 +78,13 @@ const interests = [
     {
       /* Full animated Milky Way field + stars, matching the Home hero treatment. */
     }
-    <AnimatedBackground client:idle transitionName="sky" />
+    <AnimatedBackground client:idle className="vt-sky" />
     <div
       class="container-prose relative z-10 flex flex-col items-start gap-6 py-16"
     >
       <Reveal>
         <SectionHeader
+          tone="hero"
           kicker="The personal wing"
           icon="heart"
           title="Interests"
diff --git a/src/pages/professional/index.astro b/src/pages/professional/index.astro
index 844d1d4..405cd92 100644
--- a/src/pages/professional/index.astro
+++ b/src/pages/professional/index.astro
@@ -40,11 +40,12 @@ const projects = (await getCollection("projects")).sort(
   <!-- Page header -->
   <section class="relative overflow-hidden pt-28 sm:pt-32">
     {
-      /* Circuit-board field. Shares view-transition-name "sky" with the star
-        fields on other pages, so navigating here morphs constellations into
-        circuitry. */
+      /* Circuit-board field. Now self-contained (nebula gradient + canvas inside
+        one root div), mirroring AnimatedBackground's structure so the morph from
+        a star hero is element-to-element equivalent — no separate gradient
+        flash. Shares view-transition-name "sky" via vt-sky. */
     }
-    <CircuitField client:idle className="opacity-70" transitionName="sky" />
+    <CircuitField client:idle className="vt-sky opacity-80" />
     {/* Slowly rotating astrolabe ornament behind the header. */}
     <Astrolabe
       class="pointer-events-none absolute z-0 -right-48 -top-24 h-[34rem] w-[34rem] animate-spin-slow"
@@ -53,18 +54,24 @@ const projects = (await getCollection("projects")).sort(
     <div class="container-prose relative z-10 flex flex-col gap-10">
       <Reveal>
         <SectionHeader
+          tone="hero"
           kicker="Professional"
           icon="briefcase"
           title="Resume & Portfolio"
           subtitle="Clean, confident, skimmable."
         />
       </Reveal>
-      <Reveal delay={80}>
-        <SectionNav />
-      </Reveal>
     </div>
   </section>
 
+  {/* In-page section nav — sits BELOW the hero (out of the morphing region),
+      opaque against the dark surface so it stays readable while scrolling. */}
+  <div class="container-prose relative z-20 pt-4">
+    <Reveal>
+      <SectionNav />
+    </Reveal>
+  </div>
+
   <div class="container-prose flex flex-col gap-20 py-16 sm:gap-24 sm:py-20">
     {/* ===== 1. Summary ===== */}
     <section id="summary" class="scroll-mt-28 flex flex-col gap-6">
diff --git a/src/styles/global.css b/src/styles/global.css
index 14df1e4..ee4d3cb 100644
--- a/src/styles/global.css
+++ b/src/styles/global.css
@@ -272,22 +272,29 @@
   opacity: 1 !important;
   transform: none !important;
 }
+/* Elegant entrance: a slow rise + soft focus-clear, with a gentle scale settle.
+ * Slower and smoother than a plain fade-up so text "settles" into place rather
+ * than popping. The slight blur-to-sharp adds a dreamy, mystical quality. */
 .reveal {
   opacity: 0;
-  transform: translateY(24px);
+  transform: translateY(18px) scale(0.985);
+  filter: blur(6px);
   transition:
-    opacity 0.7s var(--ease-out-soft),
-    transform 0.7s var(--ease-out-soft);
-  will-change: opacity, transform;
+    opacity 0.9s var(--ease-out-soft),
+    transform 1s var(--ease-out-soft),
+    filter 0.9s var(--ease-out-soft);
+  will-change: opacity, transform, filter;
 }
 .reveal.is-visible {
   opacity: 1;
-  transform: translateY(0);
+  transform: translateY(0) scale(1);
+  filter: blur(0px);
 }
 @media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
   .reveal {
     opacity: 1;
     transform: none;
+    filter: none;
     transition: none;
   }
 }
@@ -366,6 +373,7 @@
 html.vt-transitioning .reveal {
   opacity: 1 !important;
   transform: none !important;
+  filter: none !important;
 }
 
 @media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {