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Dot hated being on camera. Everything about it was horrifying when she didn’t have her nidothing costume on. That costume made her feel safe when around people. But whenever she wasn’t wearing that outfit, it was like she was nothing but a nobody again. She’d just be that one kid, afraid to talk to people because she might say something wrong, or others might end up judging her. She had already been diagnosed with a moderate to severe anxiety disorder and social anxiety and tried taking medication for it but it just made her feel really weird and she had some bad side effects. She just wished she could wear that silly costume everywhere. That way she wouldn’t fear for her life whenever she’s in the middle of a crowd.
However, after meeting up with Iono and figuring out that the streamer would be doing a live stream of the test, Dot felt her heart drop. Everyone from around the world would be watching, judging, waiting to put their unwanted opinions out there. But luckily, Iono said she could do it as Nidothing. However, she couldn't help but feel like that wasn’t what she really wanted. She wanted to take the test as Dot but really didn’t want everyone to watch.
This whole situation made her more stressed and nervous than before. But when the varoom stole her costume and brought it out to the center battle court, surrounded by tons of people with their phones out, she felt it start. A panic attack.
Her comfort item, besides her weighted blanket, was just stolen from her and the only way she could get it back was to enter the middle of the crowd and battle it on camera. What if she did bad and everyone laughed at her? What if she did good but people thought she was the bad guy? There was no positive outcome and she was horrified. Her heart started beating and she could hear it in her chest. It was rapid and loud. Breathing started to get difficult and she took short and fast chunks of air. She was panicking.
“Dot?” Liko tried to get her attention but she was too far away, dissociated. She started to pull at her hair and dig her nails into her scalp, trying to calm down as she obsessed over trying to get her costume back. Unfortunately, her panicking made the situation worse.
People started gathering around her with concerned expressions on their faces. But Dot didn’t know them, what if they were dangerous? What if they didn’t mean any of the concern and just tried to get her to let her guard down? All she knew was that she couldn’t breathe and everything felt too big.
Dot ran from the crowd and back into that small alleyway she originally was in before the Varoom stole her costume. They ran behind some crates and started to hiccup as she tried to regulate her breathing, but failed. Everything was too much. She just wanted to go back to the ship. She wasn’t ready for the test. She just wanted her weighted blanket and Quaxley.
“Dot?! Are you okay?” Liko kneeled in front of her. She had followed her friend when she noticed them starting to panic and run off.
“Can’t *gasp* breathe *gasp* it’s too *gasp* much, “ Dot tried to explain through her hyperventilating. Liko recognized this as a panic attack and quickly took her hands so she wouldn’t hurt herself but to also provide her some comfort.
“We’re gonna take some deep breaths and while we do, I want you to name 5 things you can see,” Liko said. Dot really wanted to argue but it would take up too much air to speak.
“Breathe in 1…2…3.. Now hold, 1…2…3…4… and breathe out 1…2…3…” Liko led her through guided breathing. After doing one round of these, she started to name some things she could see while breathing out.
“Crate…” She said before taking another breath and held it for 4 seconds.
“Wall,” she named before taking another breath and holding.
“Quaxely…” she noticed her pokemon had come to check up on her. It was worried and was trying to comfort her.
“Floragato… and you,” She finished.
After she went through that, Liko then made Dot name 4 things she could feel, 3 things she could hear, 2 things she could smell, and one thing she could taste. When she finished going through all of them combined with the breathing exercises, she realized that she felt a lot better. Liko had helped her through her panic attack.
“Liko… thank you…” Dot squeezed her hand.
“It’s no problem,” Liko promised, kissing her forehead. Dot immediately blushed, but instead of freaking out again, she melted in it. It felt so nice and comforting.
“Do you have panic attacks often?” Liko asked.
“Mhm… it’s part of my anxiety disorder…” they explained.
“I’m sorry, Dot. Is there anything I can do to help when these things happen?” Liko wondered.
“Um, what you did now was perfect, but if you could get my weighted blanket for me, that would be nice…” She suggested.
“Okay, thank you for telling me.” Liko said, sitting next to her.
Right when Dot was about to rest her head in the crook of her crushes neck, Roy came running into the alley.
“Dot! Thank goodness you’re okay! Fuecoco and I fought off Varoom and got this back for you!” Rock handed her the Nidothing costume. Dot gasped and grabbed it, laying it over her, onto her chest. It sort of acted like a weighted blanket when crumpled up. She smiled as Roy sat on the other side of her and gave her a hug.
“You’re gonna be okay, Dot. it’s fine if you’re not ready,” he comforted her.
“Thanks Roy. You two are the best,” She wiped away a couple tears from her eyes.
Dot, Roy and Liko, walked back to the ship, knowing Dot needed a break from everything. Liko and Roy held her hands the whole way there. It felt really good to hold hands with Liko, but it was still pretty comforting from Roy.
Murdock was practically freaking out and having his own panic attack when he found out that Dot had one. Friede had to calm him down as Mollie gave Dot a quick checkup to make sure she didn’t injure herself and that her blood flow was normal.
Dot spent the rest of the day laying in bed with her blanket until she finally felt ready to face Iono that evening. She needed to get over her fear and if that meant exposure therapy then so be it. Liko and Roy were there providing her with as much reassurance as possible as they started the battle with Iono.