diff --git a/assets/scripts/hidden-details.js b/assets/scripts/hidden-details.js
index 0e63312..6a578b8 100644
--- a/assets/scripts/hidden-details.js
+++ b/assets/scripts/hidden-details.js
@@ -27,6 +27,44 @@
   const hour = now.getHours();
   const path = window.location.pathname;
   const state = readState();
+  const CHARACTER_AVATARS = {
+    "lima": {
+      avatar: "/assets/avatars/lima.jpg",
+      fallback: "/assets/avatars/z.jpeg",
+      aliases: ["lima"],
+      glow: "#f2c58b"
+    },
+    "aphy": {
+      avatar: "/assets/avatars/aphy.jpeg",
+      fallback: "/assets/avatars/z.jpeg",
+      aliases: ["aphy"],
+      glow: "#9dd3a6"
+    },
+    "sensei chi": {
+      avatar: "/assets/avatars/sensei-chi.jpeg",
+      fallback: "/assets/avatars/z.jpeg",
+      aliases: ["sensei chi", "sensei"],
+      glow: "#9ccddd"
+    },
+    "young z": {
+      avatar: "/assets/avatars/young-z.jpeg",
+      fallback: "/assets/avatars/z.jpeg",
+      aliases: ["young z", "young"],
+      glow: "#f0b85c"
+    },
+    "future z": {
+      avatar: "/assets/avatars/future-z.jpeg",
+      fallback: "/assets/avatars/z.jpeg",
+      aliases: ["future z", "future"],
+      glow: "#c2a4ee"
+    },
+    "z": {
+      avatar: "/assets/avatars/z.jpeg",
+      fallback: "/assets/avatars/z.jpeg",
+      aliases: ["z", "zaine"],
+      glow: "#ead68e"
+    }
+  };
 
   // -----------------------------
   // EDITABLE CONTENT
@@ -474,6 +512,41 @@
   // UI HELPERS
   // -----------------------------
 
+  function characterForMessage(message) {
+    const text = String(message || "").toLowerCase();
+    return Object.entries(CHARACTER_AVATARS).find(([, config]) => {
+      return (config.aliases || []).some((alias) => {
+        const escaped = alias.toLowerCase().replace(/[.*+?^${}()|[\]\\]/g, "\\$&");
+        return new RegExp(`(^|[^a-z0-9-])${escaped}([^a-z0-9-]|$)`).test(text);
+      });
+    })?.[0] || "";
+  }
+
+  function avatarMarkup(character) {
+    const config = CHARACTER_AVATARS[character];
+    if (!config) return "";
+    return `<img class="hidden-message-avatar" src="${escapeHtml(config.avatar)}" alt="" loading="lazy" style="--hidden-avatar-glow:${escapeHtml(config.glow)}" onerror="this.onerror=null;this.src='${escapeHtml(config.fallback)}'">`;
+  }
+
+  function hiddenMessageMarkup(message) {
+    const character = characterForMessage(message);
+    return character
+      ? `${avatarMarkup(character)}<span class="hidden-message-text">${escapeHtml(message)}</span>`
+      : `<span class="hidden-message-text">${escapeHtml(message)}</span>`;
+  }
+
+  function setHiddenMessage(el, message) {
+    const character = characterForMessage(message);
+    el.classList.toggle("has-hidden-avatar", Boolean(character));
+    if (character) {
+      el.dataset.hiddenCharacter = character;
+      el.innerHTML = hiddenMessageMarkup(message);
+    } else {
+      delete el.dataset.hiddenCharacter;
+      el.textContent = message;
+    }
+  }
+
   function toast(message, duration) {
     let el = document.querySelector(".hidden-toast");
     if (!el) {
@@ -482,7 +555,7 @@
       el.setAttribute("role", "status");
       document.body.appendChild(el);
     }
-    el.textContent = message;
+    setHiddenMessage(el, message);
     el.classList.add("is-visible");
     window.clearTimeout(el._timer);
     el._timer = window.setTimeout(() => el.classList.remove("is-visible"), duration || 5600);
@@ -542,17 +615,17 @@
     const note = document.createElement("p");
     note.className = "hidden-footer-note";
     const base = pick(details, "footer");
-    note.textContent = memory.visits > 4 ? `${base} You have passed through ${memory.visits} times.` : base;
+    setHiddenMessage(note, memory.visits > 4 ? `${base} You have passed through ${memory.visits} times.` : base);
     footer.appendChild(note);
   }
 
   function addHomepageGreeting(memory) {
     const target = document.querySelector("#db-greeting");
     if (!target) return;
-    target.textContent = pick(greetings, `greeting-${memory.visits}`);
+    setHiddenMessage(target, pick(greetings, `greeting-${memory.visits}`));
     const extra = document.createElement("p");
     extra.className = "hidden-greeting";
-    extra.textContent = memory.visits > 1 ? "aphy remembers the shape of your return. lima makes it feel less strange." : "First visits count as tiny ceremonies.";
+    setHiddenMessage(extra, memory.visits > 1 ? "aphy remembers the shape of your return. lima makes it feel less strange." : "First visits count as tiny ceremonies.");
     target.closest("div")?.appendChild(extra);
   }
 
@@ -665,7 +738,8 @@
   function showDriftNote(text, art) {
     const panel = document.createElement("aside");
     panel.className = "hidden-drift-note";
-    panel.innerHTML = `<div>${escapeHtml(text)}</div><pre>${escapeHtml(art)}</pre><button type="button">Close</button>`;
+    const character = characterForMessage(text);
+    panel.innerHTML = `<div class="hidden-drift-message${character ? " has-hidden-avatar" : ""}">${hiddenMessageMarkup(text)}</div><pre>${escapeHtml(art)}</pre><button type="button">Close</button>`;
     panel.querySelector("button").addEventListener("click", () => panel.remove());
     document.body.appendChild(panel);
   }
@@ -813,7 +887,7 @@
     if (comments && !comments.querySelector(".hidden-guestbook-line")) {
       const line = document.createElement("p");
       line.className = "hidden-guestbook-line";
-      line.textContent = pick(lore.fakeUsers, "comment-lore");
+      setHiddenMessage(line, pick(lore.fakeUsers, "comment-lore"));
       comments.appendChild(line);
     }
   }
@@ -886,7 +960,8 @@
     const visits = readState().layerVisits || {};
     target.innerHTML = familyLayers.map((line, layer) => {
       const count = visits[layer] || 0;
-      return `<li><strong>${escapeHtml(line)}</strong><br><span>local encounters: ${count}</span></li>`;
+      const character = characterForMessage(line);
+      return `<li class="${character ? "hidden-layer-message" : ""}"><strong>${hiddenMessageMarkup(line)}</strong><br><span>local encounters: ${count}</span></li>`;
     }).join("");
   }
 
@@ -910,7 +985,7 @@
           seconds += 1;
           count.textContent = String(seconds);
           if ([30, 90, 180].includes(seconds)) {
-            target.textContent = seconds === 30 ? "lima's note becomes easier to read." : seconds === 90 ? "sensei chi nods once." : "future z says this quiet was not wasted.";
+            setHiddenMessage(target, seconds === 30 ? "lima's note becomes easier to read." : seconds === 90 ? "sensei chi nods once." : "future z says this quiet was not wasted.");
           }
         }, 1000);
       }
@@ -933,7 +1008,7 @@
         if (event.key !== "Enter") return;
         const value = input.value.trim().toLowerCase();
         const line = document.createElement("p");
-        line.textContent = `> ${value}\n${commands[value] || "aphy: unknown command. sensei chi: not all unknowns are errors."}`;
+        setHiddenMessage(line, `> ${value}\n${commands[value] || "aphy: unknown command. sensei chi: not all unknowns are errors."}`);
         log.appendChild(line);
         input.value = "";
       });
diff --git a/assets/styles/hidden-details.css b/assets/styles/hidden-details.css
index 668ecd9..edc5f60 100644
--- a/assets/styles/hidden-details.css
+++ b/assets/styles/hidden-details.css
@@ -50,6 +50,53 @@
     transform: translateY(0);
 }
 
+.has-hidden-avatar {
+    display: inline-flex;
+    align-items: center;
+    gap: 0.55rem;
+}
+
+.hidden-toast.has-hidden-avatar,
+.hidden-drift-message.has-hidden-avatar {
+    display: flex;
+}
+
+.hidden-footer-note.has-hidden-avatar,
+.hidden-greeting.has-hidden-avatar,
+.hidden-guestbook-line.has-hidden-avatar {
+    display: flex;
+    justify-content: center;
+}
+
+.hidden-message-avatar {
+    width: 2.1rem;
+    height: 2.1rem;
+    flex: 0 0 2.1rem;
+    border-radius: 50%;
+    object-fit: cover;
+    border: 1px solid color-mix(in oklab, var(--hidden-avatar-glow, var(--accent)) 62%, var(--border));
+    box-shadow: 0 0 18px color-mix(in oklab, var(--hidden-avatar-glow, var(--accent)) 34%, transparent);
+    background: color-mix(in oklab, var(--surface) 82%, transparent);
+}
+
+.hidden-message-text {
+    min-width: 0;
+}
+
+.hidden-layer-message strong {
+    display: inline-flex;
+    align-items: center;
+    gap: 0.55rem;
+}
+
+.hidden-terminal-log .has-hidden-avatar {
+    align-items: flex-start;
+}
+
+.hidden-terminal-log .hidden-message-avatar {
+    margin-top: 0.1rem;
+}
+
 .hidden-corner-object {
     position: fixed;
     left: 0.65rem;
diff --git a/authoring_server.py b/authoring_server.py
index f709eaa..b9d5dff 100755
--- a/authoring_server.py
+++ b/authoring_server.py
@@ -150,12 +150,12 @@ CHARACTER_REGISTRY = {
         "aliases": ["Young Z", "young z", "young-z", "young_z", "young"],
         "territoryColor": "#d8a95a",
         "glow": "#f0b85c",
-        "avatar": "/assets/avatars/young-z.jpeg",
-        "fallbackAvatar": "/assets/avatars/z.jpeg",
+        "avatar": "https://zainezq.com/assets/avatars/young-z.jpeg",
+        "fallbackAvatar": "https://zainezq.com/assets/avatars/z.jpeg",
         "expressions": {
-            "default": "/assets/avatars/young-z.jpeg",
-            "nostalgic": "/assets/avatars/young-z.jpeg",
-            "playful": "/assets/avatars/young-z.jpeg",
+            "default": "https://zainezq.com/assets/avatars/young-z.jpeg",
+            "nostalgic": "https://zainezq.com/assets/avatars/young-z.jpeg",
+            "playful": "https://zainezq.com/assets/avatars/young-z.jpeg",
         },
         "sizes": {"tiny": 18, "medium": 42, "close": 56, "focus": 82},
         "observatory": {"territory": "nostalgic/playful memories", "anchor": {"x": 0.23, "y": 0.7}, "shimmer": "soft"},
@@ -172,9 +172,9 @@ CHARACTER_REGISTRY = {
         "aliases": ["Z", "z", "zaine"],
         "territoryColor": "#d6c38a",
         "glow": "#ead68e",
-        "avatar": "/assets/avatars/z.jpeg",
-        "fallbackAvatar": "/assets/avatars/z.jpeg",
-        "expressions": {"default": "/assets/avatars/z.jpeg", "calm": "/assets/avatars/z.jpeg"},
+        "avatar": "https://zainezq.com/assets/avatars/z.jpeg",
+        "fallbackAvatar": "https://zainezq.com/assets/avatars/z.jpeg",
+        "expressions": {"default": "https://zainezq.com/assets/avatars/z.jpeg", "calm": "https://zainezq.com/assets/avatars/z.jpeg"},
         "sizes": {"tiny": 18, "medium": 42, "close": 56, "focus": 82},
         "observatory": {"territory": "self/archive memories", "anchor": {"x": 0.5, "y": 0.52}, "shimmer": "steady"},
         "presenceTones": ["warm", "soft", "hopeful"],
@@ -190,12 +190,12 @@ CHARACTER_REGISTRY = {
         "aliases": ["Aphy", "aphy", "aphy_bot", "aphy bot"],
         "territoryColor": "#7fb089",
         "glow": "#9dd3a6",
-        "avatar": "/assets/avatars/aphy.jpeg",
-        "fallbackAvatar": "/assets/avatars/z.jpeg",
+        "avatar": "https://zainezq.com/assets/avatars/aphy.jpeg",
+        "fallbackAvatar": "https://zainezq.com/assets/avatars/z.jpeg",
         "expressions": {
-            "default": "/assets/avatars/aphy.jpeg",
-            "system": "/assets/avatars/aphy.jpeg",
-            "amused": "/assets/avatars/aphy.jpeg",
+            "default": "https://zainezq.com/assets/avatars/aphy.jpeg",
+            "system": "https://zainezq.com/assets/avatars/aphy.jpeg",
+            "amused": "https://zainezq.com/assets/avatars/aphy.jpeg",
         },
         "sizes": {"tiny": 18, "medium": 42, "close": 56, "focus": 82},
         "observatory": {"territory": "system/symbolic areas", "anchor": {"x": 0.77, "y": 0.35}, "shimmer": "diagnostic"},
@@ -212,13 +212,13 @@ CHARACTER_REGISTRY = {
         "aliases": ["Lima", "lima"],
         "territoryColor": "#d06b78",
         "glow": "#f2c58b",
-        "avatar": "/assets/avatars/lima.jpg",
-        "fallbackAvatar": "/assets/avatars/z.jpeg",
+        "avatar": "https://zainezq.com/assets/avatars/lima.jpg",
+        "fallbackAvatar": "https://zainezq.com/assets/avatars/z.jpeg",
         "expressions": {
-            "default": "/assets/avatars/lima.jpg",
-            "calm": "/assets/avatars/lima.jpg",
-            "warm": "/assets/avatars/lima.jpg",
-            "protective": "/assets/avatars/lima.jpg",
+            "default": "https://zainezq.com/assets/avatars/lima.jpg",
+            "calm": "https://zainezq.com/assets/avatars/lima.jpg",
+            "warm": "https://zainezq.com/assets/avatars/lima.jpg",
+            "protective": "https://zainezq.com/assets/avatars/lima.jpg",
         },
         "sizes": {"tiny": 18, "medium": 42, "close": 56, "focus": 82},
         "observatory": {"territory": "warm/protective arcs", "anchor": {"x": 0.29, "y": 0.36}, "shimmer": "warm"},
@@ -235,12 +235,12 @@ CHARACTER_REGISTRY = {
         "aliases": ["Sensei Chi", "sensei chi", "sensei-chi", "sensei_chi", "sensei"],
         "territoryColor": "#75a9bd",
         "glow": "#9ccddd",
-        "avatar": "/assets/avatars/sensei-chi.jpeg",
-        "fallbackAvatar": "/assets/avatars/z.jpeg",
+        "avatar": "https://zainezq.com/assets/avatars/sensei-chi.jpeg",
+        "fallbackAvatar": "https://zainezq.com/assets/avatars/z.jpeg",
         "expressions": {
-            "default": "/assets/avatars/sensei-chi.jpeg",
-            "reflective": "/assets/avatars/sensei-chi.jpeg",
-            "wise": "/assets/avatars/sensei-chi.jpeg",
+            "default": "https://zainezq.com/assets/avatars/sensei-chi.jpeg",
+            "reflective": "https://zainezq.com/assets/avatars/sensei-chi.jpeg",
+            "wise": "https://zainezq.com/assets/avatars/sensei-chi.jpeg",
         },
         "sizes": {"tiny": 18, "medium": 42, "close": 56, "focus": 82},
         "observatory": {"territory": "reflective areas", "anchor": {"x": 0.68, "y": 0.68}, "shimmer": "quiet"},
@@ -257,12 +257,12 @@ CHARACTER_REGISTRY = {
         "aliases": ["Future Z", "future z", "future-z", "future_z", "future"],
         "territoryColor": "#a58ac9",
         "glow": "#c2a4ee",
-        "avatar": "/assets/avatars/future-z.jpeg",
-        "fallbackAvatar": "/assets/avatars/z.jpeg",
+        "avatar": "https://zainezq.com/assets/avatars/future-z.jpeg",
+        "fallbackAvatar": "https://zainezq.com/assets/avatars/z.jpeg",
         "expressions": {
-            "default": "/assets/avatars/future-z.jpeg",
-            "temporal": "/assets/avatars/future-z.jpeg",
-            "reassuring": "/assets/avatars/future-z.jpeg",
+            "default": "https://zainezq.com/assets/avatars/future-z.jpeg",
+            "temporal": "https://zainezq.com/assets/avatars/future-z.jpeg",
+            "reassuring": "https://zainezq.com/assets/avatars/future-z.jpeg",
         },
         "sizes": {"tiny": 18, "medium": 42, "close": 56, "focus": 82},
         "observatory": {"territory": "temporal regions", "anchor": {"x": 0.73, "y": 0.18}, "shimmer": "temporal"},