"Yes." Deccanus continued, ready to give his report. "I have walked the majority of the Pier and found at least 5 suitable locations for us to stay while we are here as well as found some information regarding our mission."
"Yeah I found a place to stay too, so I guess we are good on that front. What did you learn?"
"I did not spend much time inquiring about it, but I did ask a few people about the caravans to Midway. In every case they had no idea there was even an issue. As far as they were aware the Caravans were working as usual, it is not unusual for them to be gone for months at a time before they return, there is a rotating band of caravans that handle the transport. Whatever the situation is, the few people I spoke to have no idea it was even happening." Adam paused to consider.
"That suggests that either that this problem only started recently or there is something greater at play…" Adam mused. "Or both." He conceded with a shrug.
"Indeed, though we have too little information at the moment. Further investigation will be required." Adam nodded.
"Agreed. But the sun is already setting so let's grab some rooms for us to stay in and then grab dinner, we can do more snooping tomorrow."
"Snooping?" Deccanus asked, confused with the term.
"You know, like… investigating." Adam was confused why he didn't know the term.
"I see." Was all that Deccanus said in response, lackluster as per usual.
The two men then headed to the same hotel Adam found and booked rooms. Though there was a short impromptu comedy skit that began the two of them since Deccanus had been under the impression that they would be sharing a room and Adam had always intended on having separate rooms. It gave Adam a perfect opportunity to turn Deccanus' joke about the flowers from earlier back around on him. Saying: "Sorry I'm not into men." With a shit eating grin.
The confusion settled the rooms were actually pretty cheap, at least compared to Midway. A nice room, comparable to The Layover, with bathrooms and showers, only for 75 caps a night. Adam booked only a single night, he was unsure when he would be leaving so for now just taking it one day at a time seemed to be the best choice.
Adam entered the room to find it, covered in nautical theming. The side window that overlooked The Pier and the lake was actually a porthole, and there was a lamp made of an old brass diver suit head next to the bed, as well as some fish wallpaper. Adam didn't mind though, it certainly made the room interesting, beats stark white walls.
After he took off most of his gear in his room he met back up with Deccanus in the lobby and then they headed out to a restaurant recommended by the Hotel staff. While they were walking Adam noted something else about this town he hadn't noticed on his initial walk through, there were no post-war constructed buildings. There were, of course, repairs done to the buildings on the pier, the boats were heavily modified to suit living needs, and there were shops on the inside the buildings with walls to separate spaces made of scrap materials. But there were no outright new buildings, all the space was simply refurbished. Very different from Midway which was more than half made up of scrap buildings and Naper which was entirely scrap buildings. It changed nothing of course, it was just interesting.
The restaurant they were led to was a sea food restaurant that was on a yacht near the end of the pier. Adam didn't mind. He was actually looking forward to eating seafood. He almost bought some while he was in The Gourmand but figured, if he was to have seafood anywhere, it might as well be at The Pier.
As it turned out it was a slightly more upscale restaurant than Adam and Deccanus would have liked, but there was no dress code so neither man suggested finding somewhere else to eat.
The food menu had a bit of variety which was a welcome sight. Adam decided to try a dish that centered on Lakelurk meat, figuring it was about time to give it a shot.
"Adam." Deccanus said to him seriously after their orders had been taken. "I have told you much about my country, my home. Caesar's Legion. But though you have mentioned your home on a few occasions I know nothing of it. What was the place you fought for like? Do you miss it as much as I miss mine?" Deccanus asked, curious. Adam stared at him for a moment, not having expected a question but then sighed.
"It was called the United States of America. And yes, I miss it everyday." Adam said somberly.
"You mean the country of the old world?" Deccanus said, recognizing the name at least. He looked Adam up and down for a moment.
"How…" He began, confused. "You are not a ghoul. How could one such as yourself have fought for a place destroyed in nuclear fire." Adam looked off to the side for a moment trying to think of how to phrase this. He had, after all, never told Deccanus he was from the pre-war world, let alone the fact he was a clone. If they were going to work together it seemed only fair for him to know. It's not like he was keeping it a secret, after all. He had let slip that he was from the old world to more than a few people. Though so far the fact he was a clone is known only to Salvatore and Eve. Guess it was time to expand his circle.
Though he paused as he looked at Deccanus, he wasn't sure how he'd react. Deccanus clearly was a man with a lot of prejudices, from slaves to ghouls he seemed to have a lot of ingrained bigotry, likely the Legion's influences. If he found out Adam was a clone would their partnership be over? Adam's heart wasn't made of stone. If Deccanus abandoned him because of what he was it would certainly hurt, even if they hadn't known each other for too long. Deccanus was becoming a good travel companion, a good friend. But he deserved to know, besides, maybe hearing Adam's story would help Deccanus sort out his own thoughts. Or, possibly, help Adam sort out his own.
"Alright, I will tell you, but it's a long story." Adam began, echoing the last few times Deccanus shared stories.
"I have time." Deccanus returned, his interest piqued.