“Hang on. I want you to tell me what happened.” The bedraggled man pulled the brightly colored man inside. A quick glance around the plain apartment told little about the occupants. Washed out pastel paint, accented by some of the most basic and generic paintings and pictures the brightly colored man had seen.

After the stressed parents laid the child down on the couch, draped a blanket over them, and kissed their forehead, the two finally sat at bar stools in the kitchenette. The parent brought out a bottle of something strong and poured a couple glasses. “Please, what happened.”

The hero of the hour sighed, “I was on patrol through my section, making sure no one would be an idiot.”

“I didn’t know you patrolled,” the parent raised an eyebrow.

“We don’t exactly advertise where we’re going to be on a given day, but those are details. I got a call that someone was causing problems. I intervened.”

“You tried to limp away. You’re the ‘Joyous Remnant,’ you don’t exactly go down easy.”

A quick sip from the glass. “‘The last one standing, with a smile.’ Doesn’t mean I don’t feel it the next day, but you’re right. They were preparing to face you.”

“Oh.” The parent say there for a moment. The silence was somewhere between polite, and stifling. “Thank you.”

“Hey, you’re the one I’ve been fighting the longest, I’d never stand for that.”

“You aren’t a hero though,” the parent glanced sideways at the Remnant, “You had no reason to save my kid. You could have just taken them yourself, have a new hostage.”

“Never.”

“You’ve robbed banks, destroyed property both public and private, you’ve taken hostages before.”

“No, I show up to a place, and make a mess. The only reason I take hostages is to get them away from the destruction. It’s why I leave some cameras working, and always have the hostages in sight of those cameras. I’m not in it to hurt people.”

“So when it’s my kid-“

“Especially when it’s your kid.” Remnant tipped his glass in salute to the other man, “In some ways we’re closer than family. I’m not in it to hurt you, I’m in it to make a performance and make money.”

“And then the Vanguard comes along and ruins the fun?” He finally refers to his own title.

“Nah, you help the performance and get the hostages out. Some of your peers could learn to prioritize hostages.”

Vanguard winced at that, but nodded, “They tend to forget the common person’s abilities, or lack there of. But again, what happened?”

“You’re more durable than me, they were prepping to face you, I got clipped by a few too many tricks and traps keeping the little one safe. Not much of a story to tell.”

“Do I need to get the league to keep an eye on our little ones? I don’t mind telling you I’m not the only one with a kid.”

“Heh, nah. The guild knows there’s families about, and we avoid them. Usually this is handled internally, but someone was able to snag a little one. They won’t bother you again.” There was a pregnant pause, Vanguard opened his mouth to speak, but was cut off. “Don’t ask. Please. They’re dealt with.”

Another pause. “You don’t like that you finally got blood on your hands?”

“I told you not to… alright, fine. My hands are plenty bloody. Like i said before, it’s usually handled internally. There’s a reason you don’t hear about these.” Remnant was far more serious than when they fought.

“Oh.”

“Now, take care of the little one, and the guild would appreciate it if you not spread this around. Or, if you do, mention that we will never go after your families, and request that the league do the same.”

That made Vanguard’s eyes go wide in a different way, “You have kids?”

Remnant snorted, “Hell no, but I know some who do.” With that he finished his drink, and headed for the door.

Curious, Vanguard called, “Where are you going?”

“Still need to finish my patrol. Oh, you didn’t hear this from me, but I’d advise the league have a team building exercise on the 12th. Something fun will be happening, more than just me, so it’ll need more than you.”

With that, the smiling man in bright colors went out the door.