[Unfortunately, even if he'd tried, his fingers would have gone right through them. Alas! In the end, they're only incredibly realistic holograms.]

More or less, yes. While in my world souls are energy, in this one they aren't. It's a bit different here. I wouldn't consume soul energy back at home either, but when you have such a distinct separation of soul and energy here, it's easier to go for the option that is less likely to leave someone a husk.