"Zoloms are only really weak to poison damage. The best way to kill them is a sword through the eye." Oh, he recognizes those materia! .. And does not ask for them back. If they've grown in power then that was Popp's work and effort, not his own. "Ruin's useful, but would take a very powerful spellcaster or a lot of time to get through their scales."

There's a reason most people just run rather than fight one. That and the fire breathing, but surely nobody's concerned about that point.

The buzzing in the grass does draw his attention too; Sephiroth's ALSO not encountered a rattlesnake before. "Some growl. I've not heard that before."

Obviously this means investigating. Meanwhile, the snake, further displeased at this intrusion, draws itself up into an S, tail buzzing away.

"...I think it's venomous." Sephiroth is staying outside of what he thinks is that thing's striking range, frowning. "The head's very triangular, that means venom sacs, and something that couldn't defend itself wouldn't hold its ground."

Buzz.