Creepiest? I forget if "he" or "her" is appropriate, but they're somewhere on the spectrum; I'd think you'd have identified with them more.

Cool projects in any case!
Yes, push-pull, specifically
H-bridge so both sides are fully driven.
Noise may be the core, yes (magnetostriction). At these voltages, it may be insulation moving around as well. Not so likely wires moving, as that takes a fair amount of current.
Tim