[And in goes the tea, back to the teacup. She's still smiling a little wryly from the way he stared at the map. It's nice for her bending to be appreciated.]

I think a lot of it had to do with the fact that the world was so surprised. There had never been a war like this before. The Avatar had always stepped in and stopped it before things got too far. The Fire Nation had prepared for years... they didn't just have benders, they had warships and armor and all kinds of machines for attacking on land.

And fire is a destructive element by its nature. It's hungry... it's alive... in order for it to be used for anything that's not harmful, it takes a lot of control. [She shakes her head.] And it's not as if firebenders have to take their fire with them. It comes from the breath. They can fight anywhere and - it doesn't matter. Though they do have a hard time with the cold...

...that might have been why they went after us first.