Katara looked up. There was a boy talking to her, but he spoke in an accent she'd never quite heard before: it was really pretty, whatever it was, but knew enough not to tell a boy that. It made them feel weird or something.

"One and the same," Katara said, looking at the boy. "So you're experienced with this kind of fire power? Good. It's something I still have to get used to a little, so no big guns for me. If I'm lucky, I won't have to use them. Waterbending might be enough."

She gave him a smile, and almost extended her hand, like she'd seen others do, then decided against it and gave him a courteous bow. "Katara, of the Southern Water Tribe. Who are you?"