How to Redeem an Unredeemable

Shadow sat at the dinner table with Chrysalis and her family and got the official introduction. "Shadow, you've met my daughter Emerald Joy and my husband Lock-Bolt. My two eldest daughters Topaz and Ruby followed by their brothers. My eldest son Stonewall, my second eldest son Palisade, and my youngest son Trident; in addition, their ages range twenty, eighteen and fifteen. My daughters ages are nineteen, seventeen and Emerald being twelve. You've met Twilight Sparkle earlier but soon enough you'll meet her other friends and one you might like is Sunset Shimmer." Stonewall had a look now of recognition for Shadow and being the dutiful older brother didn't say anything since he remembered where he had seen Shadow's face before. Shadow was given a tour of the house and the property, Topaz and Ruby offered to give the tour when Chrysalis had to take a business phone call.

"Shadow," Ruby began, "I'm speaking for Topaz and I only, we are concerned with you rooming with our little sister; however, you understand that we remember hearing about the day you got arrested and your trial - which includes your crimes. Beside theft, murder, drugs possession and distribution, car theft...mother mentioned to us older ones that you had spent some time as a prostitute. Look, we may not know the whole story which is fine; we just want you to know if you need to talk that we're here." Topaz nodded and added her thoughts.

"Sorry for glaring during dinner, I was just trying to get a read on you."

"No problems here, I'm really going to fucking try to becoming better....I've got a lot of bad habits and I really don't want Emerald to pick the up. Previously in my foster homes I wasn't really that protected from bad influences or people. I've been through some really bad things involving people touching me so I don't like being touched. Just be patient with me, that's all I ask."

Ruby and Topaz nodded and the trio walked silently for some time when Shadow had to ask a question. "What does Stonewall do for work? I ask because your mom had asked how his big job going."

"Stonewall is a white hat hacker and he's working with law enforcement to take down criminal and those involved making and distrbuting pornograpghic material. We know why you're asking, we both wanted to ask him later but he looked at you as if he recognized you. It's just us three and when you're ready you can tell our mother; were you involved in the pornograpghic industry when you became an adult?"

"I'm not ready to talk about my past with people I just met." Topaz and Ruby didn't push the point but they suspected that the answer was yes and they now wanted to know how she was." Emerald made an appearance after finishing the dishes since it was her and Trident's night. Trident had followed Emerald. Trident was only along because he wanted to be with an attractive girl and his older sisters knew that.

Meanwhile

"Dad....this project we're working on, you know that I finally tracked that pervert for your department."

"Son" Lock-Bolt began, "I can guess what you found considering how you looked at Shadow this evening. The pervert had a porn site and Shadow was on it...wasn't she?"

"She was and she had to endure was horrific. I say that we let mom know at least and whenever Shadow wants to talk about it with you that you'll listen."

"You know that we will...I have a feeling that your mom already knows somehow and that's why she is so reserved with Shadow and Emerald bunking up. I'm going to go let Shadow know and your mom that rooming arrangements need to be changed." Chrysalis had just walked in after she was given the okay to enter. Chrysalis was brought up to speed and she said that she knew already.

"Shadow told me earlier, when I tried to give her a welcome hug. Normally if this situation was with a normal girl I'd be comfortable with leaving her and you boys alone...but with what I knew earlier and now this; I fear if I get to leave you alone she may have a PTSD flare up. I know she's unstable inside, I really don't want to trigger any of her bad memories if I can help it. Pharynx or Tempest might have been a better option for this task...they're both single."

"Mother, Pharynx might become a PTSD trigger! He's not the gentlest person around. Tempest though similar, she might also somehow trigger a flare up."

Topaz and the Others

Shadow felt like she was actually home, she felt safe for the first time in her life. However, her scars served as a reminder of where and what her life dragged her through due her choices. Looking at Emerald she intended to keep the kid safe; "Shadow don't mess up and hope and pray that your past doesn't come back! If your past comes back...you have someone who could get hurt badly in your life now." Shadow thought to herself and Trident kept trying to hold her hand.

"Look dude, please keep your hands to yourself. We're strangers and I don't like people touching me....AT All." Her emphasis came with her fangs showing slightly. Topaz and Ruby gently separated the two. The pair knew from what Shadow had told them before the two youngest joined them that distance would be the best choice. Emerald came running up and placed a sunflower around Shadow's ear and it simply massive and Shadow tried to balance between her ear and against her head.

Topaz wanted to ask just for curiosity, "So how often do you work out? We're not as ripped as you are but Ruby and I like to do some cross-fit training with our friend Sunset Shimmer, we're down a team mate and we have three days to get our fourth...want to join our team?"

"I'll think about it, I'll let you know in the morning." Shadow replied. Shadow was already thinking on it and it did sound fun; "This could be a bonding thing if I let it be."