Approach

He was nervous.

Why wouldn't he be? It had been 50 years since anyone had seen him, aside a few others who lived outside the Rukongai, and he didn't exactly have any friends in the Gotei, his money on everyone having forgotten him. But regardless, he needed this. He had come as far as he could alone, with nothing but the voice in his head, taunting him over every action and thought he had taken. It was not in the least making this any easier.

Hayden Cemplus sighed, preparing himself for what was to come. He needed this. Throwing his sword around, with nothing in front of it, nothing truly attacking him. He needed more training, more experience. To be put in danger, and have someone guide him.

He knew this, but it did not help him calm down.

With a hundred thoughts of how wrong this could go wrong, he stepped towards the White Road Gate, his breath shaky, but maintaining a rhythm in the inhale and exhale itself. His left hand rested on the sheath of his sword, just barely above the spot where his belt held it to him. His hand was tight on the wood, the whole arm tensed up beneath the sleeve of his robe.

He gave into a much heavier exhale this time, closing his eyes for just a moment before freezing before the gate, a few feet away.

"Can y'all hear me?" He asked, honestly sure that he was talking to himself. "Should I knock on something? Ask for a timecard?"

He shifted in place uncomfortably, still entirely unsure what to do. But nonetheless, he took another step towards the gate. Towards progress.