nothing but . [ open ]

"Okay." 

She didn't sound disappointed - actually, her tone was quite positive. As though she was pleased to serve as his first 'official' student. But, his promise that she would look upon this agreement with no small amount of regret caused her to frown a little. Poppy was notoriously stubborn, her ambition having veered her toward making the decision of accepting Sephiroth as a mentor. 

"I've got a single requirement of my own," Poppy said. 

Her tone was altogether firm as their gazes clashed. 

"Each month I need, at the very least, several days of reprieve." 

Poppy gestured toward him. 

"That means acquiring a room someplace and staying there." 

Her reasoning behind this request was fairly obvious, but she would allow for Sephiroth to either figure it out on his own or prod her with questions regarding it if he liked. 

"But that's it," she continued, shrugging. 

It made her imagine how much time she'd dedicate toward her learning. How many years would it require before she achieved a competency that could rival his own? Poppy couldn't help but wonder about the subject of his lessons; about the training she'd endure because of her own personal desire to become an efficient warrior. 

'Is that what I want to be?' She thought. 'Yes, yes I think it'll work. It's a decent goal.' 

"And when will we officially start?" 

Admittedly, she had temporarily forgotten about the topic regarding his blade. 

She just barely managed to prevent herself from biting her lip. 

'Shit.' 

"Y - yes." 

Anxiety riddled her tone, indicating that her response was either a lie or a poorly-constructed truth. She had taken note of his explanation, and had enviously eyed the well-built portal that had been crafted from an inky blackness. 

"Yes, I can." 

Unwilling to disappoint him so soon, she desperately sought to build something that, at the very least, resembled his own creation. Poppy released a shaky breath, holding out her hand as she compelled her darkness to manifest itself into a malleable shape. At first, it appeared to work well enough, appearing a meager several feet from the young woman. 

'It's working,' she thought. 

Her eyes grew bright, a hopeful look present as she shot Sephiroth a little smile. Unfortunately, the point of darkness began to tremble and writhe, unable to take on a proper shape. Poppy's smile was immediately wiped from her face at that moment, her brows furrowing as she forced herself to concentrate. Her attempt at a portal continued to expand and dramatically swell in size.  

"Oh - oh, no. Not again." 

The young woman backpedaled, attempting to distance herself from her own malformed creation. It would eventually stop growing after a few short moments of tense silence, a familiar coolness seeping from its depths. 

"I - I think it's done. I mean - It's done. See?" 

Poppy shot the man yet another grin - the look slightly forced, now - before she moved to tentatively dip her hand into the portal. 

'Something usually goes wrong by now,' she thought. 'Maybe I lucked out?' 

The portal would then release the strangest gurgling noise before expanding itself suddenly and forcibly tugging the girl into its opening with fervor. 

"Ooooo - "