It smelled so good that Gansey sat instantly, studying the meal with delight. It was so simply compared to the lavish dinners of roast duck and stuffed turkey that they were so fond of preparing at home.

And the thought of home made him sad again. Deflated, a bit, as he looked at the soup. Especially paired with the fact that he would be allowed requests. All he wanted to request was to be able to return topside. It had been... perhaps a day, day and a half, and he already missed sunlight terribly. The mystery of the ghost was an excellent distraction from the Phantom's unwillingness to return him to his room, but there were still thoughts that weighed on him. He had seen secrets he shouldn't. And, staying here, he'd seen even more.

"There's nothing." Gingerly, he took his spoon and stirred it into his bowl, admiring the colors of the vegetables and meat. It smelled lovely. And the warmth on his tongue and belly was wholly welcome. His dark, thick eyelashes curled against his cheeks as he closed his eyes, savoring the taste.