diff --git a/aggregator.py b/aggregator.py
index 86bc034..20a88f8 100644
--- a/aggregator.py
+++ b/aggregator.py
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ A lightweight event broker that manages priority-based system status.
 """
 
 import json
+import random
 import threading
 import time
 from datetime import datetime
@@ -16,6 +17,22 @@ ROOT_DIR = Path(__file__).parent
 # Configuration
 STATUS_FILE = Path(__file__).parent / "status.json"
 DEFAULT_NOTIFY_TTL = 10  # Default TTL for Priority 3 (Notify) events
+CELEBRATION_DURATION = 5  # Seconds to show celebration after recovery
+
+# Emote variations with paired animations
+OPTIMAL_EMOTES = [
+    ("( ^_^)", "breathing"),   # calm, content
+    ("( ᵔᴥᵔ)", "floating"),    # dreamy
+    ("(◕‿◕)", "bouncing"),     # cheerful
+    ("( ・ω・)", "swaying"),    # curious
+    ("( ˘▽˘)", "breathing"),   # cozy
+]
+IDLE_EMOTES = [
+    ("( -_^)", "blink"),  # wink
+    ("( ^_~)", "blink"),  # wink
+    ("( ᵕ.ᵕ)", "blink"),  # blink
+]
+CELEBRATION_EMOTE = ("\\(^o^)/", "celebrating")
 
 # Priority definitions
 PRIORITY_CONFIG = {
@@ -29,9 +46,20 @@ PRIORITY_CONFIG = {
 events_lock = threading.Lock()
 active_events = {}  # id -> {priority, message, timestamp, ttl}
 
+# State tracking for personality
+previous_priority = 4
+celebrating_until = 0
+last_emote_change = 0
+current_optimal_emote = OPTIMAL_EMOTES[0][0]
+current_optimal_animation = OPTIMAL_EMOTES[0][1]
+
 
 def get_current_state():
     """Determine current state based on active events."""
+    global previous_priority, celebrating_until, last_emote_change, current_optimal_emote, current_optimal_animation
+
+    now = time.time()
+
     with events_lock:
         if not active_events:
             priority = 4
@@ -45,11 +73,38 @@ def get_current_state():
             ]
 
     config = PRIORITY_CONFIG[priority]
+    emote = config["emote"]
+    animation = config["animation"]
+    color = config["color"]
+
+    # Check for recovery (was bad, now optimal)
+    if priority == 4 and previous_priority < 4:
+        celebrating_until = now + CELEBRATION_DURATION
+
+    previous_priority = priority
+
+    # Handle optimal state personality
+    if priority == 4:
+        if now < celebrating_until:
+            # Celebration mode
+            emote, animation = CELEBRATION_EMOTE
+        else:
+            # Rotate optimal emotes every 5 minutes, occasional idle expression
+            if now - last_emote_change > 300:
+                last_emote_change = now
+                # 15% chance of an idle expression (wink/blink)
+                if random.random() < 0.15:
+                    current_optimal_emote, current_optimal_animation = random.choice(IDLE_EMOTES)
+                else:
+                    current_optimal_emote, current_optimal_animation = random.choice(OPTIMAL_EMOTES)
+            emote = current_optimal_emote
+            animation = current_optimal_animation
+
     return {
         "current_state": config["name"].lower(),
-        "active_emote": config["emote"],
-        "color": config["color"],
-        "animation": config["animation"],
+        "active_emote": emote,
+        "color": color,
+        "animation": animation,
         "message": config["name"] if priority == 4 else f"{config['name']} state active",
         "active_events": sorted(events_list, key=lambda x: x["priority"]),
         "last_updated": datetime.now().isoformat(timespec="seconds"),
diff --git a/index.html b/index.html
index c2bf065..6c37522 100644
--- a/index.html
+++ b/index.html
@@ -76,6 +76,102 @@
                 transform: scale(1.08);
             }
         }
+
+        /* Celebrating animation - bounce and wiggle */
+        .celebrating {
+            animation: celebrate 0.5s ease-in-out infinite;
+        }
+
+        @keyframes celebrate {
+            0%, 100% {
+                transform: translateY(0) rotate(0deg);
+            }
+            25% {
+                transform: translateY(-10px) rotate(-5deg);
+            }
+            75% {
+                transform: translateY(-10px) rotate(5deg);
+            }
+        }
+
+        /* Floating animation - gentle drift */
+        .floating {
+            animation: float 4s ease-in-out infinite;
+        }
+
+        @keyframes float {
+            0%, 100% {
+                transform: translateY(0);
+            }
+            50% {
+                transform: translateY(-8px);
+            }
+        }
+
+        /* Bouncing animation - playful hop */
+        .bouncing {
+            animation: bounce 1s ease-in-out infinite;
+        }
+
+        @keyframes bounce {
+            0%, 100% {
+                transform: translateY(0);
+            }
+            50% {
+                transform: translateY(-12px);
+            }
+        }
+
+        /* Swaying animation - curious side-to-side */
+        .swaying {
+            animation: sway 3s ease-in-out infinite;
+        }
+
+        @keyframes sway {
+            0%, 100% {
+                transform: rotate(0deg);
+            }
+            25% {
+                transform: rotate(-3deg);
+            }
+            75% {
+                transform: rotate(3deg);
+            }
+        }
+
+        /* Blink animation - quick fade for winks */
+        .blink {
+            animation: blink 0.3s ease-in-out 1;
+        }
+
+        @keyframes blink {
+            0%, 100% {
+                opacity: 1;
+            }
+            50% {
+                opacity: 0.3;
+            }
+        }
+
+        /* Searching animation - looking around for connection */
+        .searching {
+            animation: search 2s ease-in-out infinite;
+        }
+
+        @keyframes search {
+            0%, 100% {
+                transform: translateX(0);
+                opacity: 0.6;
+            }
+            25% {
+                transform: translateX(-10px);
+                opacity: 0.8;
+            }
+            75% {
+                transform: translateX(10px);
+                opacity: 0.8;
+            }
+        }
     </style>
 </head>
 <body>
@@ -94,7 +190,12 @@
                 const data = await response.json();
                 updateDisplay(data);
             } catch (err) {
-                messageEl.textContent = 'Connection lost...';
+                // Connection lost state
+                emoteEl.textContent = '( ?.?)';
+                emoteEl.style.color = '#888888';
+                emoteEl.className = 'searching';
+                messageEl.style.color = '#888888';
+                messageEl.textContent = '';
             }
         }