Since they've very obviously had similar torturous upbringings, why was Popp defending any of his teachers the way he had been? Sephiroth considered himself reasonably loyal to Shinra, but that sounded far above and beyond the dedication he applied. Maybe he was just .. lacking in the right kind of loyalty. Certainly the company would love it if he was as passionate about it as Popp had been.

And the reason why might have just been hinted at. The toasted bun is studied, because it's easier than looking at people directly. "You have a choice of who teaches you?"

That.. would change things. Misery one selects for themselves is always more tolerable. "..It hasn't been long, and the changes this planet's inflicting on us are what most would call a significant challenge already. What other forms of testing do you prefer?"