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Eyes Across the Room

Hey everyone!

Welcome to my little corner of the internet—I’m the creator behind Gemini-Phantom, a freelance writer, graphic designer, and illustrator. This blog is where I’ll be sharing short stories to introduce you to the characters from my original work, Black Sheep, a novel I’m currently writing and illustrating (yep, panels and all!).

You’ll also find sketches, line art, and behind-the-scenes peeks into my creative process. Feel free to check out my website (link in bio) for more about me and to explore my full portfolio. Thanks for stopping by! Gemini-Phantom Instagram - Phantom Art Designs Instagram - Facebook

A little context before you dive in:

It’s Michigan, 1953. The jazz is smooth, the champagne is chilled, and the tension is palpable.

Angelina and Anthony have been together for three months. She’s quiet, stunning, and carries herself with a kind of grace that turns heads the second she walks into a room. He’s flirty, confident, and not used to feeling second-best.

At tonight’s party, she’s doing something bold—flirting with another man just to watch Anthony’s reaction. But is it all just a game? Or is there something deeper behind the way she tests his jealousy?

Do women really crave a possessive man—one who claims her like she’ll never belong to anyone else?

Let’s find out. 👀

Eyes Across the Room

Angelina stood against the beige wall, just as dainty and radiant as a rose, her fingers cradling a thin glass of champagne. The June air was gentle, the sunlight pouring through the windows like honey. But her eyes were elsewhere—waiting. Where was Anthony? In a room full of stares, she stood out not only for her beauty, but because she didn’t belong here—not in their eyes. No uniform, no servitude. Just elegance. And discomfort.

She had only just shifted her weight from the wall when a man—no more than six-foot-two—came waltzing over. It wasn’t Anthony, but a man who seemed to be Anthony’s age but looked more mature. The man’s face was nearly a perfect rectangle, tight jaw, thick eyebrows, and wide eyes. His hands were unusually veiny but his smile nearly made her heart stop. Though her heart belonged to Anthony, she’d be lying if she didn’t find this man oddly attractive. 

Just as she caught the slightest movement in the corner of her eye, Anthony strolled in, deep in conversation with his good friend, Robert Darin. Their eyes met across the room, and in an instant, the air between them changed. That’s when the games began—the slowburn of glances and gestures, each one a match waiting to strike. 

The young man gently turned her face back towards him, smiling devilishly.  Anthony and Angelina hadn’t been dating for that long, but she knew all too well how jealous he got whenever someone was talking to his girl.  Just as she tried to excuse herself, she stayed, smiling evilly. 

“Let him squirm a little,” she thought. The game was heating up—one smile at a time. “He needs to earn this.”

She glanced at him once more, flashing a flirty smile. Noticing Anthony’s sharp expression, The stranger turned with a smug grin—Richard, as she’d later learn. He gasped and laughed. Without knowing Angelina for long, he knew what she was doing. She was tempting him, she wanted to see him in action. Anthony’s smile slowly faded into an annoyed frown. Trying to hide his discomfort, he sipped on his champagne. Robert, now standing next to his pal, sipped his whiskey and snickered to himself. 

Robert took another sip, eyes narrowing as he followed Anthony’s death stare across the room.  He chuckled, eyes on Richard. “Look at that tiger growl.” 

Angelina stood next to two life sized potted palms, the hem of her navy blue Shirtwaist Dress brushing the leaves. The golden buttons on her navy blue cropped jacket glint under the warm overhead lights. Her skirt, though long, still managed to make her legs look magical. Her leather black shoes nearly blinded Robert being across the room. Though the room wasn’t bustling with noise, Anthony couldn’t make out a single word they were saying only her exaggerated laughter. 

Anthony was becoming increasingly angry. 

Angelina snickered, causing Richard to turn around seeing whom caught her attention. Once he locked eyes with Anthony, he smiled wider than ever, and fluttered his fingers. “Hey, Nino Boy! Glad to see ‘ya again! This little lady is something, isn’t she?”

Anthony growled under his breath. Jealousy gnawed louder than reason. He didn’t move.  Slugging Richard would cause a scene—but linger too long, and he might lose her. The 3 month mark is always a test to a budding relationship and if one fails, It can be utterly heartbreaking. But Anthony must not know who Angelina truly is…it takes more than just a flirty smile to win her heart. 

Her eyes were locked on Richard’s, who drew closer to her, now slightly bending down to match her height. His flirty smirk made Anthony’s heart beat faster. He felt second-best. A position he’d never allowed himself before—and hated now.  Knowingly playing into this little game, Richard lifted Angelina’s hand to his lips, pressing a gentle, lukewarm kiss to it. 

“I never thought Mr. Barber could pull such a beautiful woman like yourself. Why, he practically looks as if he’s going to kill me! Wanna tease him some more,” he asked, voice as smooth as honey. 

“What’cha got in mind,” she asked giggling.

Richard bent down completely by her ear and whispered something that made her jump nearly out of her skin. His wet lips brushed against her earlobe, making her heart beat faster.

“Ok….that’s enough,” she thought. She could feel her body get those all to familiar feelings. She was only trying to make him jealous— not cheat on him in plain sight. 

Anthony leaned against a roman styled pillar, still drinking his champagne. 

“If I pulled that with any woman but her, I’d be six feet under,” He said, scowling. 

“Buddy, relax,” Robert said, patting him on the back. “She isn’t going to cheat on you. That’s the game she’s playing. You don’t see what’s going on here?”

Anthony narrowed his eyes. “What, exactly, justifies this?”

Robert tilted his head, clearly amused. “You really are a virgin, aren’t you?” 

“Are you crazy?! I’m the one that taught you half of what you know!”

“Shh! Calm down,” Robert said laughing, earning a glance from both Angelina and Richard. 

“She trying to make you jealous. Women like a possessive man, it’s their god-awful fantasy. You walk over there, snatch her up, yank her a few times, establish your dominance, and walk out. I guarantee you’ll have the best, most memorable night of your life.” 

Anthony scoffed. “When did you grow up?” 

“Make jokes all you want, Nino.” Anthony blinked, unsure if this was advice or a dare. 

“My girl? She would’ve been pressed against a wall by now…”

“Jeez! Where have I been,” Anthony asked, frowning, but impressed. “I never would’ve expected you to be so forward.”

“What’s that saying? The quiet ones are the freaky ones? Why do You think Angelina pesters you so much?” 

Anthony stood back against the pillar, pondering. 

Robert took two cigarettes out of its container and held one towards Anthony. “Want one?” He raised a brow, smiling at him. 

Anthony shook his head no, eyes still on Richard and Angelina. “He’s laying it in thick, isn’t he?”

Robert followed his gaze, and laughed to himself. “That’s Richard.  You know how he is; he has to charm anyone wearing a dress, especially if she looks like that.” 

Anthony eyes narrowed. “Well some things are off limits.”

Robert raised his left brow once again, amused at Anthony’s growing jealousy. “Is that a possessive tone I hear, Mr. Barber?”

Finally breaking his gaze from the pair across the way, forcing a cool smirk, still heated. “You ever see a lion let a fox circle the den too long?”

Robert let out a low whistle, leaning back against the pillar. “Yikes. Better pounce soon, lover boy.”

Across the room, when Angelina turned her head, she locked eye with Anthony. A beat passed. The tension snapped like a taut string. Her devilish smile faded to something softer.  There it was—the look. A silent invitation. It was all the Permission he needed. Finally, he was coming to claim what is rightfully his. Richard was still talking in her ear, but now she wasn’t quite listening. This glance was enough for him. He downed his left over drink, handed Robert his empty glass, and crossed the room quickly, his step casual, but his eyes sharp and on a targeted mission. Before Richard could get another word in, Anthony grabbed Angelina and slightly pulled her closer to him.

“Mind if I cut in” Anthony asked in a rhetorical not questioning tone. 

Richard stepped back, without hesitation, “Be my guest Nino. You know I could never be as smooth and suave as you,” he said in a mocking tone, followed by an evil smirk. 

Angelina smiled. “Smooth with a hint of cuteness.” She grazed her nails down his chest softly.

Mr. Barber leaned in, lips brushing her ear, just loud enough for Richard to hear. 

“And she likes it that way.”

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I keep forgetting to post things

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Chaosphere - Submitted by fastman27

#FF4B2F #FF9249 #FFE053 #A8FF37 #5AFFE9 #A578FF

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Writing References: Character Development

50 Questions ⚜ "Well-Rounded Character" Worksheet

Basics: How to Write a Character ⚜ A Story-Worthy Hero

Basics: Character-Building ⚜ Character Creation

Key Characters ⚜ Literary Characters ⚜ Morally Grey Characters

Personality Traits

5 Personality Traits (OCEAN) ⚜ 16 Personality Traits (16PF)

600+ Personality Traits

East vs. West Personalities ⚜ Trait Theories

Tips/Editing

Character Issues

Character Tropes for Inspiration

Tips from Rick Riordan

Writing Notes

Allegorical Characters

Binge ED

Childhood Bilingualism ⚜ Children's Dialogue ⚜ On Children

Culture ⚜ Culture: Two Views ⚜ Culture Shock

Emotional Intelligence ⚜ Genius (Giftedness)

Emotions ⚜ Anger ⚜ Fear ⚜ Happiness ⚜ Sadness

Facial Expressions

Fantasy Creatures

Happy/Excited Body Language ⚜ Laughter & Humor

Hate ⚜ Love

Health ⚜ Frameworks of Health

Identifying Character Descriptions

Jargon ⚜ Logical Fallacies ⚜ Memory

Mutism ⚜ Shyness

Parenting Styles

Psychological Reactions to Unfair Behavior

Rhetoric ⚜ The Rhetorical Triangle

Swearing & Taboo Expressions

Thinking ⚜ Thinking Styles ⚜ Thought Distortions

Uncommon Words: Body ⚜ Emotions

Voice & Accent

Writing References: Plot ⚜ World-building

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Phantom Threads 🤌

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Phantom Threads 🤌

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some erik moodboards i made 🫶

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Apologies for the long gap since my last post. I am on a much needed vacation in London and am taking the opportunity to do some research for PHANTOM.

Today was spent at The Wallace House, which is how I envision the underground apartment to look. Lavish, expensive, almost ethereal. I think there is an except in the Kay novel where Erik rants about how much he loves expensive things.

Me too buddy. Me too.

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This one truly took so long to paint 😭The video recording of the process took 10 sessions instead of the usual 3.

But I'm really happy with how it turned out! I've always loved the impressionist art style above all other oil painting styles, so it's been a blast studying the works of Monet and modern impressionists, and adding my own touch to the skies as well.

The full res image, painting process, and pphotoshop files will be part of July's Patreon rewards!

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Celestial tango

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How to Write a Ruthless Character

A ruthless character is all about the endgame. They don’t care how they get there, lying, cheating, using others, it’s all fair game as long as they win. When writing them, show how they can cut off any distractions or emotions, making decisions that others would hesitate over.

These characters don't let feelings get in the way. Compassion, guilt, regret? Nah, they don’t have time for that. Show how they can turn off their emotions and make choices purely based on logic. They’ll do things that seem heartless to everyone else, but for them, it’s just another part of the plan. It’s not that they don’t feel anything, they just choose not to.

Boundaries? What boundaries? A ruthless character doesn’t care about rules unless they can bend them to get ahead. They’ll do things no one else dares, crossing lines others are too scared to even approach. The more uncomfortable their actions make people, the more it emphasizes just how far they’re willing to go. For them, pushing limits is just another day.

They don’t act on impulse. Every move they make is planned, and every risk they take is calculated. They weigh the pros and cons before acting, and they’re always three steps ahead of everyone else. Writing a ruthless character means showing that they’ve already figured out how to win while everyone else is still trying to figure out the rules.

Betrayal is their go-to move when things get tough. Friends, allies, even people who trust them, no one is safe. They’ll turn on anyone if it benefits them. And the best part? They’ll sleep just fine afterward. Show how others react to their betrayals, shocked, hurt, furious, while your ruthless character shrugs it off like, “It had to be done.”

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Hi! I'm a huge fan of your art and art style! I am an artist as well, but my style is aimed towards the anime art style. Although our styles are different, how did you master anatomy? I've been struggling with it for a long time!

Hi! Thank you so much! It may come as a surprise for you but I still have not mastered anatomy. I follow certain teachings and tricks to make my mistakes as unnoticeable as possible. I recomend you to practice a lot. I recommend you following Chuan Bin Chung's YT channel. he´s a taiwanese god in all anatomy related, I don't understand a word says but I learned a lot just by looking at his process.

Also use Pan's gallery on Pixiv, the account is a treasure of all kinds of poses and all come in different perspectives too.

And last, follow Taco1704's IG, they give the best advice in specific details, they make everything look better.

Hope this helps!

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Never forgotten but...never finished.

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