Merry (late) X-mas Avatar fans!
Outside, the South Pole blizzard was blowing fiercely, whipping across vast tracts of icy tundra and causing even the normally thick-hided polar-dogs to seek shelter.
A large air bison gave a low groan of annoyance and turned his back towards the wind. Appa's thick fur kept him warm enough for now, and he settled into a hollow of snow to wait out the worst of it.
Inside a tent made of blue animal hide, a fire was crackling merrily -- there was only one log for it, wood being scarce in the polar regions, but under the care of the Fire Lord the flames still managed to be bright and hot.
Drinks were passed around: an experiment of fermentation from Sokka that had gone really well for once. It turned out sea prunes were good for more than making outsiders sick.
Six friends lounged around on comfortable chairs made of earth, laughing and gossiping about past times. On the shortest day of the year, when the sun would not even peak above the horizon, the tradition was to be with family.
For Aang, Katara, Toph, Zuko, Sokka and Suki, this was family.