[The flicker of a small, ironic smile crossed his face as he nuzzled back. He could hear Bulba's words, but as much as he wanted to, they couldn't fully absorb them.

He probably wasn't 'all bad.' But he definitely wasn't 'not bad at all.' If he didn't justify all this pain somehow in his mind, then the senselessness of it made it just hurt all the worse. If things had to happen for a reason, and it was simply easiest to pin them on his failings.

Bulba believed what he believed. Rather than address them, the Venusaur breathed deep and diverted the subject. In a low whisper, he muttered;]

You smell different, too...