diff --git a/public_web/docs/HTMX_PATTERNS.md b/public_web/docs/HTMX_PATTERNS.md
index f73df65..eae439d 100644
--- a/public_web/docs/HTMX_PATTERNS.md
+++ b/public_web/docs/HTMX_PATTERNS.md
@@ -564,6 +564,8 @@ def create_character():
 <span id="spinner" class="htmx-indicator">⏳</span>
 ```
 
+> **IMPORTANT:** The `htmx-indicator` class is **hidden by default** (opacity: 0) and only shown during active requests. Never put this class on a container that should remain visible - only use it on loading spinners/messages that should appear during requests and disappear after.
+
 ### 4. Debounce Search Inputs
 ```html
 <input hx-get="/search"
@@ -646,6 +648,6 @@ document.body.addEventListener('htmx:responseError', (event) => {
 
 ---
 
-**Document Version:** 1.1
+**Document Version:** 1.2
 **Created:** November 18, 2025
-**Last Updated:** November 21, 2025
+**Last Updated:** November 26, 2025
diff --git a/public_web/static/css/play.css b/public_web/static/css/play.css
index 333992b..d31ee54 100644
--- a/public_web/static/css/play.css
+++ b/public_web/static/css/play.css
@@ -1436,10 +1436,28 @@
 
 /* 3-column layout for chat modal with history sidebar */
 .npc-modal-body--three-col {
+    padding: 0;  /* Let container handle padding */
+    max-height: 70vh;
+}
+
+/* Apply grid to the actual container holding the three columns */
+.npc-modal-body--three-col .npc-chat-container {
     display: grid;
     grid-template-columns: 200px 1fr 280px;  /* Profile | Chat | History */
     gap: 1rem;
-    max-height: 70vh;
+    padding: 1rem 1.25rem;
+    height: 100%;
+}
+
+/* Override hardcoded widths for grid children - let grid define sizes */
+.npc-modal-body--three-col .npc-profile {
+    width: auto;
+}
+
+/* Ensure history panel is visible in modal grid */
+.npc-modal-body--three-col .npc-history-panel {
+    min-height: 200px;
+    overflow-y: auto;
 }
 
 /* NPC Profile (Left Column) */
@@ -1699,24 +1717,13 @@
     font-style: italic;
 }
 
-/* HTMX Loading Indicator */
+/* HTMX Loading Indicator - visible by default, replaced by HTMX response */
 .history-loading {
     text-align: center;
     color: var(--text-muted);
     font-size: 0.875rem;
     padding: 1rem 0;
     font-style: italic;
-    display: none;
-}
-
-/* Show loading indicator when HTMX is making a request */
-.htmx-indicator.htmx-request .history-loading {
-    display: block;
-}
-
-/* Hide other content while loading */
-.htmx-indicator.htmx-request > *:not(.history-loading) {
-    opacity: 0.5;
 }
 
 /* Responsive NPC Modal */
@@ -1763,20 +1770,23 @@
 
 /* Responsive: 3-column modal stacks on smaller screens */
 @media (max-width: 1024px) {
-    .npc-modal-body--three-col {
+    .npc-modal-body--three-col .npc-chat-container {
         grid-template-columns: 1fr;  /* Single column */
         grid-template-rows: auto 1fr auto;
     }
 
-    .npc-profile {
+    .npc-modal-body--three-col .npc-profile {
         order: 1;
+        width: 100%;
+        flex-direction: row;
+        flex-wrap: wrap;
     }
 
-    .npc-conversation {
+    .npc-modal-body--three-col .npc-conversation {
         order: 2;
     }
 
-    .npc-history-panel {
+    .npc-modal-body--three-col .npc-history-panel {
         order: 3;
         border-left: none;
         border-top: 1px solid var(--play-border);
diff --git a/public_web/templates/game/partials/npc_chat_content.html b/public_web/templates/game/partials/npc_chat_content.html
index 318b223..9cc8f0f 100644
--- a/public_web/templates/game/partials/npc_chat_content.html
+++ b/public_web/templates/game/partials/npc_chat_content.html
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ Displays NPC profile, conversation interface, and message history
     </div>
 
     {# Right Column: Message History Sidebar #}
-    <aside class="npc-history-panel htmx-indicator"
+    <aside class="npc-history-panel"
            id="npc-history-{{ npc.npc_id }}"
            hx-get="{{ url_for('game.npc_chat_history', session_id=session_id, npc_id=npc.npc_id) }}"
            hx-trigger="load, newMessage from:body"