//------------------------------//
// Chapter 2- Adjustment 
// Story: Wayward Armor 
// by Sketchwrites 
//------------------------------//

	About a week later, Shining Armor stared out the window of his room. Cadence had been kind enough to open the blinds for him, giving him a change in scenery. So far the change hadn't been as fascinating as he hoped, as the Crystal Empire was quite boring. 
He lay on the bed, stretched out towards the window. He was watching a small crowd explore the surrounding area of the castle. They were obviously tourists, as one would stop suddenly to take a photo or just to stare at a grand sight. 
Shining couldn't help but feel anxious. He had examined every pony that passed by, checking for usual behavior that could hint to any ulterior motives. He tried to tell himself he was just trying to look out for his new kingdom the best he could, but Shining knew what he was really doing. 
Shining Armor was looking for changelings. 
Rolling onto his other side, the stallion sighed deeply. He was bored. Mindless paranoia over changelings wasn't much of a pastime, and he was an active unicorn. Before the wedding, he had a strict daily schedule he did to keep himself amused. Every morning, he would run the perimeter of the Canterlot castle, preferably with one of his fellow guards. Next, he would eat breakfast with the rest of the royal guards, and then training would start. Later, he would retreat back to his room and polish his sword collection before going to bed. 
Shining Armor liked life that way, there were no surprises or unexpected events. Celebrations and holidays were alerted to him weeks in advance, so he had more than enough time to prepare. Even his own wedding was planned exactly to the hour and minute. 
While they were dating, Cadence had frequently chided on him for his predictable lifestyle. "If you never do anything with your life, nothing ever happens!" she would say with a playful wink. 
He would just ignore her well-meaning advice. Shining was comfortable, he felt no need to make any major changes to his life. He was the captain of the royal guard, which was the highest honor a pony like him could have. Shining Armor was on top of Equestria, only a few steps below Celestia herself. Now that he was married to Cadence, his status only rose higher. He was a successful young stallion with an entire kingdom for he and his wife; why make any changes now? 
Rolling onto his back and staring at the ceiling, he tried to understand Cadence's point of view. She came from an adventurous background, exploring Equestria for years until she decided to settle and start foalsitting in Canterlot. The castle had a room dedicated to her conquests, with relics and souvenirs lining every shelf in the room. He had been in there a few times, Cadence had taken him when they first met. 
Shining sighed, blowing his mane out of his eyes. He didn't get why anyone would go out to places unknown, possibly risking their own life, just for the sake of having a change in scenery. Those ponies can do whatever they want, Shining Armor reasoned, but I'm happy with my daily routine. 
A soft knock on the door stirred him from his thoughts. 
"Come in," Shining Armor murmured quietly, rolling over to face the visitor. 
Remedy pushed open the door, the purplish-grey unicorn trotting into the room and coming to a stop beside him. 
"It's time for a check up." she explained, patting the bed as a sign for him to get up. 
Shining Armor yawned, pulling himself onto the floor and stretching his legs out. He was slightly off-balance, his weight shifted off his injured leg. 
Remedy placed her medicine bag down on the bed, pulling out a clipboard and quill. She walked around Shining to examine him, occasionally leaning down to get a closer look. 
"Can you raise your front hooves, dear, one at a time?" she said, not bothering to look up from her examination. Shining Armor followed her order, lifting each leg high until she signaled him to stop. 
After intently staring at what seemed to be every inch of his body, Remedy went back to her medical bag and dug through it. 
"Anything unusual?" Shining asked nervously, as she had been silent throughout the process, besides giving simple orders. 
"Just a bit of weight gain, but it seems to be natural. You just haven't been that active lately, that's all." she murmured, turning around. A stethoscope was levitating in her grey magical grasp. "Now I need to check your breathing, okay?" 
Shining Armor nodded, raising his head up to expose his chest more. He squirmed when the cold metal touched his bare fur, but a sharp glance from Remedy stopped any further movement. 
"Take a deep breath," the doctor instructed, moving the stethoscope up and down his chest, listening to his breathing. Shining breathed easily and deeply as Remedy placed the instrument onto his back. After a few more breaths, she put the stethoscope back into the bag. 
"Your breathing is nice and strong, Shining." Remedy said as she jotted down notes onto her clipboard. "Now to check your temperature." 
She drew a thermometer out of the medical bag, sliding the covering off and shaking it. Remedy stuck the thermometer into Shining Armor's mouth, waiting exactly a minute before pulling it out. 
She stared at the result, lip curling up slightly. "You have a bit of a fever, and that means you still have an infection... I guess it's time to check your wound. I need you to get back on the bed, okay?" 
Shining Armor sighed with relief, ready to lie back down. He curled up on top of the sheets, sticking his back leg out for Remedy to examine. 
Slowly and steadily, she began to roll the bandages off, revealing weeping and discolored skin underneath. Remedy tossed the soiled bandages in the trash, readying a new roll beside her. Shining Armor allowed himself a glance at the injury. It was two deep slashes across his thigh, both of moderate size. The fur surrounding the area was sheered off, unmasking the flesh beneath it. 
"This may hurt a little." Remedy murmured as she retrieved a bottle of antiseptic. Shining cringed. He remembered the sensation of the medicine on a wound, and it had hurt more than just a little. 
The stallion stiffened in anticipation as she dripped some of the clear liquid onto the slashes. A sharp, burning pain traveled though his body, making him grit his teeth. 
"We're done," Remedy said, gathering new bandages and wrapping them around Shining Armor's leg. "I need you to rest for today. Let's see if you can sleep off that low-grade fever, okay? Would you like me to summon a guard while you rest?" 
Shining Armor turned away, thinking. Guards had been stationed at his door while he slept ever since he started recuperating, as a safety measure. It was quite comforting to him to know that someone was there to keep watch while he was unconscious, it probably helped him get to sleep. 
"Sure, I don't mind." Shining Armor murmured nonchalantly, pulling blankets over him. 
Remedy smiled slightly, grabbing her bag and trotting out of the room. 
Minutes later, a shuffling outside the door told him that the guard had arrived at his post. Shining's eyes started to droop as sleep fell over him. 
"Shining Armor!" 
The stallion's eyes snapped open immediately, wide awake. He turned over, blinking in confusion. Flash Sentry was standing anxiously in the open door, his head cocked in confusion. He fluttered to his bedside, shifting from hoof to hoof. 
"Are you okay, sir? You got really still there for a second. I was afraid something was wrong..." The young pegasus said, eyes wide. 
Shining Armor sat up, ears twitching. "I was just trying to go to sleep, Flash Sentry. I was told by Remedy to rest." He laid his head back down, closing his eyes. 
"Oh..." Flash Sentry looked disappointed. "The guards miss you, you know? Thunder gives us our commands in the morning now. He's pretty good at it, I guess. But you're still our captain. When do you think you're gonna come back?" 
Shining Armor sighed. "I have to wait until I am well again, kid. It's not like I'm choosing to be out this long." 
Flash Sentry's eyes suddenly got big, and a tremor traveled from the tips of his ears to his wings. "Hey, I got an idea!" the young stallion said cheerfully, pushing on Shining Armor's shoulder for emphasis. "How about you come with me tomorrow for the morning exercises?" 
This request perked Shining's ears. He pulled himself into a sitting position, smiling honestly, the first time in weeks. "Actually...I would like that." 
The orange pegasus broke out into a wide grin. "Really?! Awesome!" He bounced in the air with joy. "You need to be up pretty early in the morning, after breakfast. I'll come and find you, okay?" 
Shining Armor nodded. "That will do. Now, let me sleep some for tomorrow." 
Flash Sentry trotted back to his original position at the door. "Alright! See you then!" 
Filled with new enthusiasm, the unicorn curled under the blankets, making himself comfortable. Finally, he thought, I have something to look forward to other than my recovery. With that thought spinning in his head, Shining Armor drifted into unconsciousness.