Mia is one of the many Remlits scampering across the greens of Skyloft in Skyward Sword. However, unlike the others, she has an owner. The headmaster of the Knight Academy, Gaepora, claims ownership of the adorable little creature. Although she is found in the company of Horwell more often than not, bringing up the question of who she really belongs to. Horwell even has a scratching tree, pet bed, and food bowl in his room just for Mia. That’s not to say she is locked up in the academy. Mia is free to explore and adventure across the island with an apparent lack of direction. Mia goes missing often. So much so that fans have theorized that Mia plays off the acronym, Missing In Action (MIA).
The first time Link meets the adorable little Remlit, she has run off to the roof of the Knight Academy. While enjoying the sun in a peaceful sleep, it’s Link’s job to bring the pet back down. While the quest is used as a form of tutorial, the request sets up Mia’s character. Horwell comments that Mia runs off often. However, being the only domesticated Remlit in Skyloft, she might just like her freedom or, like all cats, nothing can keep her restrained.
That’s not to say that Remlits don’t like people. Remlits get excited by Link’s presence especially when he starts playing the harp. Mia is no exception, loving the company of Skyloftians. When Link brings her back to Horwell, she stays by his side. Maybe that’s just because he feeds her, but there must be some emotional connection for her to stay around. As someone with pet cats, I know that despite their need to explore, they like to come back home and enjoy the company of their owners. For Mia, no matter her adventurous spirit, she seems to always find her way back to the academy with that adorable face smiling and meowing for attention.
Of course, like all Remlits, Mia has a dark side. When the sun drops and shadows fill the sky, gone is that cuddly persona and in its place is a vicious and ferocious creature that will attack without question. With the shift out of her control, Horwell lets Mia outside in order to not cause trouble (like she did once before). I can’t help but wonder what it feels like for the Remlits to turn into a monster and attack the ones they love. Is it like a werewolf transformation on a full moon? Their appearance does change a little at night. Their ears look sharper and their tails look like a brush of spikes. Even their eyes glow with bright yellow similar to Keese. As far as appearances go, Mia and the Remlits transform into monsters. Fortunately for Link, their monster side isn’t that strong. A few hits with his sword and they scamper away, whimpering and hiding their face.
How much of the night does Mia remember come the morning? She mustn’t hate Link for attacking her as she is always her happy self, but the thought gets you wondering if she is aware of her transformation. In literature, many werewolves don’t remember their actions under the full moon. Based on Mia’s interactions during the day I would say that this is true for her as well. I couldn’t imagine being so happy if I attacked the people I like, nor would I want to be around someone who thought slicing me with a sword was the best way to handle the situation. Claws or not.
Fortunately, Mia’s touch of darkness doesn’t last forever. If you decide to complete Batreaux’s Gratitude Quest, breaking his curse, it will also stop all the Remlits from transforming at night. From that moment onwards, Mia can be found walking with Horwell at night and enjoying his company without the risk of scratching. At the end of the day, light or dark, Mia is an adorable resident of Skyloft and a mostly pleasant addition to the game. I’m sure I’m not the only one who wishes for a Remlit just like Mia. How could anyone resist that adorable face?
