VN engine

I though I could waste some time trying to make a visual novel engine on my own. So I'm looking for a OO language that has a decent 2D graphics library.

Tried Squeak yesterday. Slow as fuck and the morphs don't update unless you interact with them.

Any recommendations?

>>14
I'm not looking for a complicated or very challenging project, just something simple.

And no, I'm not trying to duplicate an existing engine. Just giving a try at making my own engine.

C++? Isn't /prog/ flaming Sepples on every ocassion it has?