Melanie echoes his glance around the hall, as if it might have changed its appearance since she last paid particular attention to it. It looks just the same as it had before, similar to the underground base where she and the other hungry children were held. A bit bare and boring, sure, but it hadn't bothered her then, and it doesn't bother her now.

She can't imagine why it would bother Daniel. Isn't this the sort of place soldiers like him make for themselves?

Answering either of his question would require skirting too close to the truth, so Melanie just restates herself. "I want to stay here. It's…" safest? No. "Best."