There were some things that overrode the pup’s aversion to strangers. The scent she had caught happened to be one of them. On top of the person’s rapid breathing.
They weren’t a complete stranger. She saw them at the party while following around Murk like a little shadow.
Closer and closer she got until she was right beside them. The reflective part of her vest catching in the light.
A gentle nudge of her nose against their shin. Then another before jade eyes lifted to meet theirs. “Sit. Gibbie help.”
Her words came with a paw at their leg, waiting until they took to the floor to climb into their lap and settle in. Deep pressure therapy helped these. They helped Light.
((Medical alert pup to the rescue for panic attacks))
[Panic (But Not at The Disco). || Accepting!]
Ash had been about to take off. About to run, to go wild through the base until they found something. Anything. Anyone.- Their heart felt as though it was about to be crushed, their lungs unable to get enough oxygen. Nothing but panic and terror, dragging them down into an all-too-familiar abyss.
The reflection managed to hit their eyes, first- catching them for the briefest moment, long enough for a nose to press against their shin. Barely-aware but too aware, their head had snapped down so hard they'd felt their neck crack. Trying to steady their own breathing couldn't panic around a stranger shouldn't- but their body refused.
The brunet couldn't run. Not with a paw pressed gently to their leg. A simple command that had them slumping, almost collapsing like a pile of sticks to the floor. Didn't want to be seen like this,
Don't let me die please don't, please, I'm sorry-
Unaware they were starting down their mantra, as a weight settled in their lap. The barely-begun frightened whispers of 'sorry' had barely started before they were fracturing, falling apart. Real.- Real and present and God,...
Ash would be lying to say they'd not whimpered. They'd not briefly begged- but the fluffy one resting in their hold, the feel of another's heartbeat, of another's breathing....
They were starting to steady. Their heart still clenched deep in their chest, their fist pressed over their front as if they could force it to calm- but their breathing began to go down.
"...th-.....thank you..." Like a building about to shake apart, only for the earthquake to halt just before the foundations could snap. Their eyes remained open. Didn't want to see darkness. Didn't want to see nothing. "...'m sorry, I..."
Ash trailed off. I'm sorry I....what? Panicked? Broke down?
Their other hand gripped at their side. Felt the fabric against their hold. Present, just...focus on that. They were still shuddering. Like a leaf in a storm, but at least the storm was easing up.
