His immediate backpedaling saved him from her wrath, it wasn't exactly groveling but it would do for now.

"Yes, the Water tribes to the North and South have lived savage lives of a primitive nature. While the other nations rise up they are stuck living in houses of ice and snow, at constant odds with the very elements they choose to ally themselves with. It's a small wonder they haven't died off yet though not for lack of their own trying."

All things considered that was actually pretty moderate compared to how she really felt about them.