Crocking looks at Barbara, "How do I know you are actually good at keeping your promises ? I kept mind to the cat. That is what got me into all this I owed her and I kept my word and helped her. Now I have visitors from afar, well I guess your Door isn't too far from mine. Your from the same world right ?" His face is alien in it's reptilian nature but due to some of the people she knows from her world she could see uncertainty in his last statement.

Xan says, "Wow, Gumbo is good."

Crocking gives what might be a toothy smile, "Glad you like it little britches."

Barbara shrugged and nodded
"So, how about a gesture of good faith?  What would you like?"

Crocking looks around, "I don't even know what you can offer. Still you haven't attacked yet and I do know what that whole Umbra thing is. So, what say we talk business after we eat." He starts filling up other plates and gets on the PA to let his subjects know about the BBQ and feast.

Slowly they start showing up and it looks like though it might be rare it is not an unheard of occurrence and soon they start taking plates and sitting on the ground eating their meals.

Some of the children of the menagerie walk over and start talking with Xan soon she joins them and sits among them chatting away.

The Crocking fills a very large platter type plate for himself and sits on the ground crosslegged.

Barbara nodded,  and started eating

For those that eat the food is amazingly good. If you weren't sure that a Croc man were the one who had made the meal you would easily place this as a professionally cooked if niche dish of Cajun cooking. The Crocking missed his calling as a Professional chef.

After the meal you do notice though frightened of their King the amusement park citizens are actually quite polite in thanking him before they move off to the various places where they must live in the park.

Xan looks sad when the kids leave but she moves back over and sits near Barbara.

The Crocking then looks to you all, "So, you wish me to take you to see the cat ? That sounds like where you will be wanting to go since your relative isn't here and I don't right know where she would be otherwise. If the Warden has her then could be anywhere, in that case your best bet you already have." He looks at the groups four shapeshifting bloodhound like creatures.

   Dean finishes his plate, politely asks for seconds if there is enough.

  "Well, this was one of the finest meals I've had in a long while.  Thank you.  If you wanted people to come here, this kind of cooking would be worth the trip alone.  Hell, if I can manage it, I'll come back again if invited.  Just getting the word out, and maybe a few samples if there's any left over would draw people, but it's all IF you want some such.  You have a real gift for cooking, and it's a shame to hide that from the world.  Maybe something could be worked out with the fishermen that gave us the map to bring folks out.  Start it off slow, maybe once or twice a month, specialty restaurant sort of thing."

  He begins collecting the plates, looking for a wash setup for them.  He had done his share of bussing tables and washing dishes when the club needed it, and it was good manners to help out after such an excellent meal.

  "As for going to see this cat-lady, pointing us in the right direction is enough if you don't want to get mixed up in it further.  Of course, we're happy for help where we can get it if you'd like to come along.  To the question of the Warden though...can you tell us anything about them?"

"Oh well thank you. I love to cook. I don't know what fishermen your talking about though.  The cat lives in a really dry place, There are crocs there but it's so dry. Bright too, not like my home. I don't have one of those Stair maps so I don't know how I could point you in the right direction without going with you, at least to the Door."

"Oh those plates go over there, Derrick will wash them, he enjoys making things clean. Strange fellah." He points to a stall where Dean can see other people bringing some of their plates.

Barbara was worried that things were getting out of control quickly, but she didn't see any alternatives, without physically attacking their host.  Which, when she thought about it, felt rude.

"If we need to take you with us, we can arrange that.  As Wardens, we can trade transport to different worlds in exchange for your help."

He nods, "Well it is not so much trading me, you will need to provide transportation if you want my help. That is the way of things sadly. I strive to become a warden myself but the secret to that mystery has evaded me."

  "I'm good with it if everyone else is.  Guy's been square with us, and if his people need stuff to survive that he can't get here, well seems to me it's something of a moral imperative that we help him out." says Dean with a smile.  "Besides, I wanna see what his bread pudding is like."

Barbara nodded,  though she was still feeling cautious
"Then we have a deal. We can leave whenever you like."

Kingcroc, "Alright then. I will be back let me get my traveling gear."

He heads off to one of the structures.

Barbara got herself ready to travel.
"Let's keep alert, everyone. "

Millenia looks over, "Well he seemed nicer then we heard about."

Xan bobbed her head, "He is a good cook too."

Barbara spoke quietly.
"Appearances can be deceiving,  so don't let your guard down "

Xan takes out her hammer and nods.

"If he intended us harm he certainly had the opportunity to do so already.  I think he's being honest.  If that should change though, we'll do what we have to do to get through it, but I believe in giving folks a chance to prove themselves." says Dean, stretching.  It had been a great meal, and he was feeling pretty positive about things.

Kingcroc comes back out dressed for all the world like an explorer.
A wide floppy hat.
A backpack.
What looks like a large heavy looking crossbow.
A heavy looking sword.
A lot of trinkets hanging from crossed belts including and Barbara will note this some batarangs.

"Ok, when we get to the stairs I can show you where to go. You fleshy types will need some of that sunscreen or to cover up good when we get there. It's bright, oh and water bring water."

Barbara nodded and looked at Millennia
"Is there another world we can stop at on the way, perhaps,  to stock up on supplies?"

Millenia, "I don't know where this world is. Though I am positive there will be places to go along the way. There are countless worlds."

Barbara frowned but shrugged
"I don't want to explore every door, but if you see anyplace to get supplies,  let me know "

Millenia smiles and whispers to Barabra, "You know you just have to feel for what your looking for and you will find it. So just on our way focus on what kind of things you want to buy and will take money or trade that you have and ta da!"

Barbara made a skeptical face, pursing her lips in a very angsty college coed way
'Sounds a bit suss, like some kind of New Age magic thing, but I'll try it,  i suppose "

Everyone heading back to the Stairs or still want to do things here ?

I was thinking we were done here.  Was there anything i was forgetting?