I curtsy and close my door. Then, I go sit down on my bed and pull out a book that I waterproofed. I read for a while. A few hours later, I swim down to the dining hall where Queen Lizzie is waiting for me.

"Hello, Aspen. How was your first day in The Ocean Empire? Did you get a chance to look around the palace? What would you like to do tomorrow, or over the next couple of days? It is your life now so all decisions are yours to make, take your time and tell me everything you were able to do today. I want to hear all about your first day."

I look kind of overwhelmed with all the questions.

"Uhhhh...."

"My apologies Aspen. I do not intend to overwhelm you, I was just excited to hear all about your day so I asked many questions at once. Please forgive me and go in your own time. Did you get a chance to explore the palace? What are your first thoughts about living in the Ocean Empire?"

"The palace is beautiful. I think living here, I'm going to have to get used to being wet all the time and swimming a lot more than usual. It's okay, though. I love swimming and it is a great exercise."

"Thank you for your honest response, Aspen. Please, do not worry about feeling strange being wet all the time or swimming, it will come to you rather quickly! I assure you that you will find yourself loving the water and swimming around as if you were born into it, like myself and my people. I am very proud of you for being so adventurous and willing to try something new!"

"Thanks..."

"You are welcome, my dear. So, let's start today with a very simple question: What do you want to do now? I am at your service, dear, what sounds entertaining to you right now? We will do absolutely anything you want in The Ocean Empire, just say the word and it shall be yours."

I pull out an empty prescription bottle.

"I have anxiety and I haven't had my prescription for a few days. Could we please refill the prescription at a pharmacy?"

"Absolutely. I will make sure it is done immediately. Are you comfortable talking more about your anxiety with me? I am not sure if it is okay to ask, you can tell me as many or as little details as you are comfortable with. Is your anxiety a recent thing or a lifelong thing?"

"It's okay to ask questions. I've had it since I was born. I have anxiety surrounding food and social situations, so I will not eat food if it has had mold on it, if a fruit, berry or vegetable is too squishy, and I will not eat a refrigerated food/drink if it has been left out for more that 10 minutes, with worries that I will get sick. I also have a lot of anxiety about being sick or people around me being sick. Also in social situations, if it gets too loud or crowded, I will have an anxiety attack."

"I am very sorry to hear about your anxiety, Aspen. That sounds very difficult at times. I promise to do everything in my power to help you overcome this hurdle of anxiety, and I hope that this treatment and support will help you live a more comfortable and safe life in The Ocean Empire. Would you like me to arrange an appointment with our best psychiatrists?"

"Yes, but you need to know that it is not something I can overcome. It will be with me forever and I just have to learn ways to deal with it."

"While I understand it may be a lifelong battle, there are always ways to help cope. What are some of the things you do to deal with this anxiety, if you feel comfortable telling me?"

"I used the 54321 coping technique. 5 things I can see, 4 things I can touch, 3 things I can hear, 2 things I can smell, and 1 thing I can taste. I also use box breathing and drawing as coping techniques."

"These sound like they can be very helpful. If you do have an anxiety attack, are there certain things that you like to do to feel better? Are there certain objects that you always have on hand to help you cope?"

"I used to have some sensory fidgets to help with anxiety attacks. I bought them myself, but they were taken away by my bio parents."

"I am so sorry that they were taken away, that was a cruel and uncalled for action to do. I would love to give you some sensory fidgets if you would like me to. What did your sensory fidgets look like, if you are willing to tell me?"

"I used to have these spiky sensory rings to roll up and down my finger. I really liked that one. Could I please have a few of those?"

"Of course. I would be honoured to provide those for you. Do you have any other things you would like as a coping mechanism for your anxiety? What do you believe would be helpful in coping, and more importantly, would you like help to try to overcome the challenges that anxiety presents? Do you think talking about your anxiety helps you deal with it, does it make it worse? Would you like someone to talk to, or would that make you feel less comfortable and secure?"

"I would really like a counselor to help with my anxiety... If that's not too much to ask! I know it's expensive..."

"Of course, dear. Nothing is too much. Your comfort is my main concern. When you have any sort of anxiety, you let me know immediately, and I will immediately find and hire the very best psychiatrist to help you. Is there anything else I can do for you at the moment? Would you like a special plushie or other such comfort object? If you have any other specific coping mechanisms or other sorts of things that help you feel more comfortable or secure, I would be happy to help you get whatever you need."

"I used to have a stuffed lamb, but I left her on the surface because I didn't want to get her wet... My spells can only do so much."

"I understand. Would you like a new stuffed lamb to help you feel comfortable? Do you believe that such an object will make a major difference for your anxiety, or would there be something better that could help? I would be happy to get you a stuffed lamb if you wish."

"Could we go to the surface to get my old stuffed lamb, I know where I left her. I could put her in a water tight bag, if you have one."

"We will go to the surface and get her, we will do whatever you want. You are very important to me. I want you to feel safe, secure, and as comfortable as possible. I want you to know that you are always safe with me, okay? If there is ever anything at all that you need help with, I will always be here to provide for you. Does that sound acceptable to you?"

"Yes, Thank you."

Queen Lizzie and I swim up to the surface and find my stuffed lamb in a broken down tent, we put her in a water tight bag and dive back down to the Ocean Empire.

"Is she as you remember her, is she comforting to hold and look at? You have found a home here with your family. You may go to me with anything at all, and I will make sure it is provided to you as a sign of our love."

"Yes, she is. Thank you so much. Also, can I call you Mum now? You feel more like a mother than my Mum did."

"Really? Oh, of course! I would love that dear."

I smile at her and give her a tight hug, then I swim back to my room with my lamb. After a few months of living in the Ocean Empire, I swim into Mum's bedroom looking worried.

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