Adam couldn't help but steal a glance at the two super mutants who had walked in behind them, gorging themselves on a plate of raw bloody undefined meat.
"Is um… that normal?" He asked Deccanus, lightly gesturing with his hand but doing so subtly so it didn't look like he was pointing.
'Normal? No." Deccanus responded as he too looked around but less so with the same interest and confusion as Adam. "However some Super mutants have been known to domesticate themselves." He glanced back at the two super mutants. "However I do not get the feeling those two are among them."
"Yeah that was my thought too…" Adam was unsure what to say about this place. It was weird, a restaurant bar considered neutral ground for all people run by a handsome man called Belphegor in a Chicago that is currently encircled by the four horsemen? Something just seemed… off about the whole situation but Adam couldn't quite pin it down. However, whatever the case, it was nice to know there was an oasis of peace out in the wasteland. A neutral ground is exactly what he would hope for. Of course that's assuming Belphegor could back up his words. Maybe he was bluffing? Who could say, but if even the Super Mutants were not acting up there must be some validity to his claim.
Regardless it was perfect for a lunch, maybe this wouldn't aid them in their investigation but it was certainly an interesting experience, and that was half the reason Adam was traveling. Maybe one day he would write memoirs, this would be worth a footnote at least.
"I'm curious, Deccanus." Adam began as he looked to Deccanus who turned to look at him in return. "You said you grew up in the Legion but you were born in a tribe? What did you mean?" He then paused as he looked at him for a moment before adding at the end: "And if you left the Legion why are you still… trying to be like them."
Deccanus looked down at the last question glancing at his skirt and armor he wore and then sighed deeply.
"It is the only life I've ever known…" He said with real emotion to Adam now. "I was trained to be a legionary, I am a legionary, I do not know how to be anything but a legionary and…" He paused. "I suppose, so far it has served me well." Adam nodded slowly, understanding. Why fix what wasn't broke? He had skills that helped him survive through the years, why change the way he did things now, that made sense to him at least.
"As for your other question that will take a bit longer to explain, a story will be required, if you are willing to listen." Adam nodded again.
"I asked because I was curious, I expected a story from the start."
"Very well." Deccanus took a deep breath and prepared himself for the story. "I shall start with the creation of the great empire of Caesar's Legion and end with my own story. It is necessary to understand what I have told you." He paused to make sure Adam was listening and then began.
"The Legion was started when our mighty Caesar, bereft of the others from his clan, the Followers of the Apocalypse, was captured by a tribe local to what was once called the grand canyon, there he began to see the potential of the tribals, taught them war tactics, proper use of guns, new ideas and old traditions born from the fires of a long dead people. With their help he ended the war of the 7 surrounding tribes and formed a union under his command, eventually his rule extended to the control of 87 tribes. The names of the tribes are gone, no need for tribal labels when we are all Legion." He paused once just to switch gears.
"When the Legion came to my home, I was but a young boy. I do not remember much of the event, nor what my old tribe was like, just that they existed as a part of my past. However I was young enough to be taken in not as a slave but as a warrior. I grew up in the Legion, learned their rules, their laws, their roles and skills. I became Legion when I became a man and served under my Legate from day one. I remained there, in the Legion, until the day everything fell apart." He said somewhat sad now. "So I am both, son of tribals, and son of Mars." He said resolutely, regaining his confidence. Adam nodded understandingly.
"Aren't you ever curious to figure out what your old tribe was like? Who they were, where they came from, what they believed in?" He asked.
"No." Deccanus returned staunchly. "Whatever the tribe I came from was like is gone, it has been buried under the sands of time. A dead people tell no tales, my only people is the Legion, whether it is dead or not I will carry the blood of Mars until I no longer breathe."
"But isn't that a contradiction? That you will carry the story and legacy of one dead people but not another?" Adam asked, not trying to poke holes in his logic more just asking because he was trying to understand.
Deccanus seemed caught off guard by the question, seemingly never having considered it like Adam had said.
"It… is different…" He said, unsure himself.
"How?" Adam asked again.
"It… just is…" Deccanus responded, seemingly unsure of it himself.
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to push you or anything, I was just curious." Adam said more tenderly now.
"Think nothing of it." Deccanus said in return, attempting to seem resolute but it was clear he had been shaken. "I had never considered that my Legion was now… no different than the tribe I…" He petered off, seemingly deep in thought now. Adam hadn't intended to send him into a crisis but was unsure what to say now.
"There is nothing wrong with picking and choosing what you want to believe in." Adam said after a moment of silence. "I do it all the time, things I like, I try to do or see more of. Things I dislike I do less of. But what I enjoy is not what everyone enjoys. There is nothing wrong with picking one thing over another, there is nothing wrong with ignoring something entirely. So long as you find a path you are happy with, that is all that matters, I think." Adam said, thoughtfully, though of course this was all off the top of his head, not exactly a well thought through argument, hence why it was so slipshod.
Deccanus stared at Adam for a moment and then sighed.
"Perhaps you are right." Deccanus said with a calmer tone. "These are questions I never dared to ask myself before but there is no reason I shouldn't ask them. If my answer is still Legion then that is what I will be until the day I die." He said with some resolve again.
"And if it's not Legion maybe you can explore some of your old culture." Adam offered softly.
"Maybe. But it will be some time before I decide if I shall remain Legion or change myself. I am not equipped to answer these questions now." Adam smiled.
"No no is asking for your answer now, like I said before, if you gotta, spend your whole life looking for an answer, take your time there is no rush." Deccanus nodded slowly and then turned as the waitress came back with their food.
"Here you go boys." She smiled as she put their food down in front of them along with a drink for each of them. "I hope you enjoy!" She winked and then walked away leaving the two men alone to eat.