That is my problem yes: I would like my LEDs to turn on immediately as the pulse animation happens in the ring. The LEDs will be replaced later with another component; for now they are simply there so I know that there is voltage in those branches of my circuit.
In short, I have two inputs. An up arrow button on my phone and a down arrow button on my phone. If I press the up-arrow, the green LED should light up and the neopixel ring should begin its pulse animation at the same time. The same will be the case for the down-arrow and the red LED.
I will fiddle around tonight and see what I can produce!
I did attempt to implement a time check (millis()), but to no avail. I'll have to revisit that then.