That wasn't me! We were locked in a room, it was so difficult to break out? We were trapped there and... and it really hurt. Please, you gotta believe me?

[Even though the change holds no real horror for him anymore he still sounds dismayed about it. He remembers the nausea and the coughing and feeling so wrong...]

... But I have these really cool powers now, look!

[He reaches out excitedly to leave spores and outgrowths on some nearby debris. It takes root, interweaving, then blooms in the most beautiful enticing colors.]