Toneri and Tsuki have a chat

	You lean back, getting comfortable on your puppet throne; honestly, it isn’t *that* uncomfortable.

	Slowly, you begin to ascend- thankfully there doesn’t seem to be much in the way of wind here, so any potential hazards during your flight can be ruled out. Briefly, you imagine making such a ascent back home, but shuddering and sinking lower in your seat. Whipping winds, variable temperatures, high speeds- flight back home has a lot of variables to consider.

	Your new seat *does* offer you a rather unique view of this inverted world; despite it’s odd sloping shape and impossible geometry, it’s quite beautiful- especially from on high.

	Your wide smile fades into a mischievous grin. These Otsutsuki- they sealed Kaguya away for being a goddess, but proceeded to build themselves a miniature world where they can look down upon the world below… not unlike gods themselves?

	People have such amazing capacity for hypocrisy, truly.

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	A short time later, your throne drifts to a stop outside the large temple complex you had seen from below. Up close, you can see it’s grand stone facade, carved into the floating mountain that houses it. Interlocking arches lines the entrance, and above, a large stature of a horned man gazes outward, grim-faced and promising judgement to the masses below.

	You still can’t help but smile.

	An entire army of Toneri’s constructs line the pathway to entrance, all bowing deeply.

	This is a showing of respect you can get used to~

	“Welcome, Tsuki Norihime, to the Temple of Hamura.” Toneri’s voice echos from his puppets.

	“Happy to be here, I suppose- do you have the refreshments I was promised?” You retort, still sporting a coy grin.

	“Er- yes, of course. Please, follow the guide inside the temple. I await you in the dining area.” He responds.

	“Very good- lead the way, then.” You say, tilting your head towards a new arrival- a puppet like the others, but dressed in white, ceremonial robes.

	The construct beckons you forth, and you follow it a few paces back as it leads you into the temple proper.

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	You’re lead through a sprawling opening hall, decorated with spiritual ornamentation and decorations. Depictions of the horned man, who you assume to be Hamura, are nearly everywhere; accompanying them are smaller depictions of what you assume to be lesser historical events for these people, dating back across their history. Despite nearly a thousand years to themselves, this is all they left behind? The thought baffles you, especially when framed in the context of your own world’s history.

	In a thousand years, warring daimyo and their vassals cut out swathes of the land that would eventually become the Great Nations; from this vessel, the Shinobi villages were born. Each daimyo can track his lineage to the origin of his family line, and there are tales upon tales from those times. In contrast, these folk seemed to be inordinately focused on one point in their past- the accomplishments of their great ancestor.

	Hamura- likely Hamura Otsutsuki, one of Kaguya’s two children.

	It’s not a small leap of logic to make, although it carries implications. If these moon folk are all descended from him directly, as seems likely, it’s quite the pedigree- even if you care little for their reputation, they are descended from divinity, even if that divinity was stolen.

	In your thoughts, you had stopped paying direct attention to your surroundings- and you nearly run into the stopped puppet as a result. It, like it’s brothers, is now bowing, it’s arm outstretched to hold open a door.

	Inside, a large window dominates the far wall- the view of the world below, and the castle floating across from the temple, is breathtaking.

	“It is quite beautiful, isn’t it? I’m afraid I haven’t seen it myself since I was a young boy.” a soft voice says from across the room.

	A small boy, no taller than yourself, sits at the end of a long table. The table itself is immaculately set with fine silver tableware and snow white table linens. The boy’s hair is a stark white, his delicate features obscured slightly by a dark veil. Across his collarbone are several black magatama, seemingly written into his pale flesh.

	“I welcome you to my home. Thank you for taking the time to meet with me- I apologize for my earlier rudeness.” He says, rising from his chair.

	You feel your face warm, slightly- he’s rather pretty, for a boy. Sakura and Ino would likely be foaming at the mouth over his looks. But where did the malleable kid from before vanish to?

	“No need to apologize- I would respond similarly to an invasion of my home.” You respond politely- omitting the the fact that you did that very thing nearly a month past.

	“Yes, your home… I do have many questions for you about that place- but I forget myself. Please, take a seat; my constructs will attend to us.” Toneri says, gesturing to an empty seat at the other end of the table.

	“...Yes, of course. I thank you for your gracious hospitality.” You say, slowly walking to take your seat.


	As you do, Toneri claps his hands twice- a parade of puppets emerges from the entryway, bearing many entrees, snacks and, thankfully, tea.

	Did he prepare all of this himself, or did the puppets? Morso, how is he controlling them he’s…

	“Let me guess- You’re wondering at my ability to control these constructs with such skill despite my blindness? I suppose it would be somewhat shocking for someone from the world below- it’s the Tenseigan.” He says, pointing to the glowing orb hanging just above, fixed in the sky.

	“My ancestors spent generations sealing their powers into the Tenseigan, and as a result it allows us unparalleled control over our environment. Tasks like cooking, cleaning- any other daily tasks, really- are quite simple using this power. These constructs are just facet of what it can do.” He explains.

	“Really? You have absolute control over the environment? Why do you remain here, then?” You ask as the constructs set your tea down.

	“There is little for me down there that I don’t have here in the temple. The powers of the Tenseigan are not limitless- we can only harness so much of it at a time. It was easier when there were many of us, but as you have seen…” He answers.

	“You’re alone here.” You finish.

	“Yes. I admit this freely- I am the last of the Otsutsuki. I will not bore you with our thousand year history, although it is immaculately recorded, if you wish to learn. Until you arrived, these constructs were all I had to keep me company.” He says, taking a sip of tea.

	You do the same, out of courtesy- it’s dark and somewhat bitter. Not exactly to your taste, but a fine brew nonetheless.

	“The last of your line… what about your mother or father? No uncles, aunts or cousins?” You ask, testing your boundaries with Toneri.

	He smiles sadly.

	“My mother died in childbirth- and those still living at the time of my birth were nearly all old men. Most passed before my memories truly begin, and are hard to recall. My father was the last- and he passed on to the pure lands nearly five years ago now.”

	“I… see. My mother also died during my birth- and I have no siblings. My father is all the family I have left in the world, though I’ve made many friends and associates.” You admit, hoping to build a bit of rapport.

	“We are two of a kind, Tsuki- though you’ve been blessed with the good company of others. Unfortunately, these constructs make poor conversation partners.” He observes, taking another light sip.

	Five years with nobody but yourself for company? It’s amazing he hasn’t gone insane…

	“There aren’t any others on this moon? Even from outside your family?” You query. The focus of your mission isn’t Toneri, after all- there should be a colony of Rabbit spirits, Kaguya’s worshipers.

	“There… are some. They aren’t human, however- and are dangerous. I would take the utmost caution to avoid them. I’ve spent a good portion of my free time trying to eliminate them- as my family has tried to for generations. They’ve dwindled alongside us, surely- it’s been months since I’ve seen hide nor hare of them.” He answers.

	Dangerous? For someone who is the ancestral enemy to Kaguya and her followers, you suppose it’s possible- though they seemed desperate, not dangerous.

	“You’ve been very forthcoming, Toneri- and you didn’t have to be. I really appreciate that.” You say, nursing your tea.

	He smiles.

	“Don’t praise me so highly just yet, Tsuki. I’ve answered your questions- and I have some of my own. Father took me to the world below once, as a child; through a portal that closed when he died. I haven’t been able to open it, no matter how hard I tried…. And so, I’ve sat alone in this place for five years.”

	You feel the question coming before he says it- and there is a slight edge to his voice as he does.

	“So, tell me- how exactly did you, a woman from the world below, make your way into my family’s realm?”