"Mmmhh, I see. How cuRIous."
The being declined their head to Vakama's level under the screeching of gears. He drew back, his staff but not even the idea of a defense in front of him.
The flat plate revealed no opening through which the entity could see - yet the turaga still sensed a glare upon him, although if from anger or scrutiny, he was unsure. He jerked as the entity's head snapped 90° around on their neck. Somebody made a choked sound from behind the barrier.
"I did not know that Ta-matoran also held the ability to be seers, even as a toa. As far as I knew from the Great Beings, they intended that talent to be exclusive to Ko- and Ga-matoran." Another snap and the plate stood upright again, cocking to the side. The giant didn't seem to be inclined to elaborate, but Vakama had the distinct foreboding it was trap they had laid out. With them before and the barrier behind cornering him, he had walked into one already.
His hands gripped tighter about his staff. At least the others were out of harm's way.
"What do you mean by 'seer'?"
"Do not try to fool me, matoran." The voice was endlessly patient. "Seers have a distinct energy pattern to their brains that I can detect, which is the same as in the Ko-turaga present."
Nuju held himself still, safe a slight tremor in his shoulders, as he kept leveling his glare at the entity.
"Maybe I do experience visions, maybe I do not. What is it of interest to you?" Vakama's voice thinned in agitation.
"It is just a detail I noticed with my ability. I admit, it is making me curious – I am a scientist just like the Great Beings are. Or were, depending on what their current status entails, but we used to work together now and then. But you are correct." Finally the entity straightened up again, not caring about some of the flabbergasted stares directed at it. The fire turaga tried his best not to sag in relief. During the entity's explanation… he couldn't truly describe it, but the whirlwind of atmosphere around them had sharpened, as if growing fangs, growling hungrily at him.
"The reason that I've approached you is of different nature. Rumor has it you used to be the best mask maker in Metru Nui and I believe your skills have not rusted over the time since you were active in a forge."
The waist rotated upon the lower abdomen and the giant fetched the bag that had been resting at the wall. With another groan of metal, they turned towards the turaga, flicking the knot loose with a finger.
This scene plays before the fight in the cave with the fire entity. Since I'm still early in the planning stage, most scenes are more bulb-flashes that'll help flesh out the plot and the story, but aren't necessarily in chronological order in the 'chapters'.
The 'giant' as I dub the unknown character here has dubious goals at best, even aside of their claimed reason to approach Vakama.