I couldn't really get this worded the way I wanted. Sigh. I may edit re-upload at a later date.
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43. Learning to Fly.

Mei loved watching Alphonse do everyday things. Years of being in that armor had made his movements slightly awkward, as if his soul didn't like being confined in a smaller, softer body. Often times, he looked like a bird just learning to fly. His motions were jerky and gangly. He dropped things often and stumbled over his own feet. His expressions were a little off; his face taking extra time to choose an expression that fit the appropriate emotion or situation. Sometimes he would get it totally wrong, or it would only be about half what it needed to be.

When he read, wrote, or studied, though, he looked totally natural. Maybe it was because he was sitting still. Or maybe it was something that came natural to his soul.

Al looked up and smiled at Mei and waved her over. Smiling seemed to be natural too. Alphonse smiled often, and when he smiled, it was quick, easy, and instinctive. It was like his soul was smiling with his body. Mei got up and walked over to him, body and soul smiling back.