Gemotions

The late afternoon sun slanted across Leo's workshop, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air. He hummed, a tuneless melody, as he meticulously wired the last of the LEDs into his kinetic sculpture. A thrill, like static electricity, prickled his skin. He stepped back to admire his creation, a complex web of interwoven metal that responded to sound. It moved, a shimmering display of light and form. He couldn't stop grinning.

He decided to share his work online, and uploaded a short video, then felt a slight tremor of apprehension. He glanced over his social media feed. Then he saw it: a familiar design, but refined, more elegant. He felt his face flush.

The other artist was named Anya. Her version of his sculpture was far more impressive, and also, identical. They both used the same types of material. The way Anya used the materials was beautiful. He sent her a message. She replied almost immediately.

“Well,” she wrote. "This is awkward, isn't it?"