(Restoring my rambling post here) –
Look I might be joking around about Basch and Balthier having to be the Adults™ of the group most of the time, aka the Dads with the rambunctious son they kind of adopted in the span of two minutes, but you know who the REAL parent here is?
Migelo, through and through, undisputable.
I mean the very first thing we learn about this guy is that he gives basically ALL the street kinds and orphans in Rabanastre who lost their parents to war and illness not only work, but also a home, food, and a parental figure in himself. He does not just see them as workers, because the very second thing we learn is that at least Vaan and Kyste tend to slack of on their jobs for him, or skip them altogether, but they still get all of the accommodations Migelo can offer without a single bad word from him. More than that: He’s hastening from one place to the other to make sure the kids are alright; he grovels in front of empire soldiers to get them to leave his boys alone and not even offers any reprimand afterwards –
And we’re also told that that is why he works with the Empire at all: To ensure he has a standing and the money which puts him in a position where he can make sure his kids are safe and sound. Not because he wants money, or fame – it’s even hinted if he was alone, he would not go out of his way like this.
Then he goes on to ORDER a notorious sky pirate with a bounty on his head to go save Penelo, OR ELSE –
(And at this point I would like to note that he does not beg, he does not threaten, he does not offer money. He talks to Balthier like he probably would to one of his more stubborn charges – which, given Balthier’s age and personality, makes me think that it’s not really far off; Migelo probably views him as just another lost boy who a good wake-up shake now and then. But this just as a side note)
And what probably touches me the most is not even in a cutscene (sadly) but the fact that when you return to Rabanastre and Migelo after getting Penelo back, he’s not even trying to stop you, or trying to kick you out because a wanted criminal is not welcome or something like that. He very literally tells you that he’s proud of Vaan and Penelo for doing what they think they have to do, and that once they come back from adventuring, they still have a home here.
Listen, Migelo is just – the very best parent in this game. Maybe a lot of games.
(Also he probably views the entire party as his responsibility afterwards, let’s be honest here. XD)