[ has zuko ever relied on anything else but his bending? he pauses, thoughtful. when he had been camping with sokka — without it — he had to rely on this little thing called instinct. though it's not the same; he often remained alert at the sound of things. when he thinks about it, he feels like the answer would be no. ]

But wouldn't harsh weather render everything pointless? You can't concentrate. I've been to the North Pole. I couldn't focus on anything other than trying not to shake. [ but he had been fractured then, uncertain of who he even was as he had only believed the avatar could restore his honour. ]