Python input/output

Ok, let's see if I only get flamed for asking this or if you guys come up with some useful advice.

Basically I'm writing an interface to an irc client in python and need it to continiously print output of stdout (handle acquired with subprocess' Popen) in one area of the terminal, while waiting for input in another area of the terminal. I tried achieving this by using the multiprocessing module and ansi escape codes to push the output up one line and save/restore the cursor position. But both failed me. Pls halp.

I was trying to avoid it. Are there smaller alternatives or is it really the only way to go? Also, despite the insult, thank you for some actually useful feedback.