diff --git a/squinnondation/squinnondation.py b/squinnondation/squinnondation.py
index 0f8bf9c..f468f6c 100644
--- a/squinnondation/squinnondation.py
+++ b/squinnondation/squinnondation.py
@@ -383,6 +383,9 @@ class Squirrel(Hazelnut):
         self.history = []
         self.history_pad = curses.newpad(curses.LINES - 2, curses.COLS)
         self.input_pad = curses.newpad(1, curses.COLS)
+        curses.init_color(curses.COLOR_WHITE, 1000, 1000, 1000)
+        for i in range(curses.COLOR_BLACK + 1, curses.COLOR_WHITE):
+            curses.init_pair(i + 1, i, curses.COLOR_BLACK)
 
         self.hazelnuts = dict()
         self.history.append(f"<system> Listening on {self.address}:{self.port}")
@@ -434,12 +437,14 @@ class Squirrel(Hazelnut):
             match = re.match("<(.*)> (.*)", msg)
             nickname = match.group(1)
             msg = match.group(2)
-            self.history_pad.addstr(i, 0, "<")
             color_id = sum(ord(c) for c in nickname) % 6 + 1
-            curses.init_pair(color_id + 1, color_id, curses.COLOR_BLACK)
+            self.history_pad.addstr(i, 0, "<")
             self.history_pad.addstr(i, 1, nickname, curses.A_BOLD | curses.color_pair(color_id + 1))
             self.history_pad.addstr(i, 1 + len(nickname), "> ")
-            self.history_pad.addstr(i, 3 + len(nickname), msg)
+            attrs = curses.color_pair(0)
+            if nickname == "system":
+                attrs |= curses.A_ITALIC
+            self.history_pad.addstr(i, 3 + len(nickname), msg, attrs)
         self.history_pad.refresh(0, 0, 0, 0, curses.LINES - 2, curses.COLS)
 
     def refresh_input(self) -> None:
@@ -447,7 +452,10 @@ class Squirrel(Hazelnut):
         Redraw input line. Must not be called while the message is not sent.
         """
         self.input_pad.erase()
-        self.input_pad.addstr(0, 0, f"<{self.nickname}> ")
+        color_id = sum(ord(c) for c in self.nickname) % 6 + 1
+        self.input_pad.addstr(0, 0, "<")
+        self.input_pad.addstr(0, 1, self.nickname, curses.A_BOLD | curses.color_pair(color_id + 1))
+        self.input_pad.addstr(0, 1 + len(self.nickname), "> ")
         self.input_pad.refresh(0, 0, curses.LINES - 1, 0, curses.LINES - 1, curses.COLS - 1)