You've got a knack for making really loveable characters without telling us too much about them. You showed us just enough of Maia's feelings about her life in the human world (or above water anyway, not sure if this takes place in the same world as your other games so maybe I can't call it the human world), that we can easily fill in the blanks as to what she's been through - it hits close to home without getting dark (though the subtext is pretty dark), which is a tough balance to hit, and I think you nailed it.
I totally understand all the people saying they want more of this. These characters are good, but I think it also stands on its own. Good stuff. Really enjoyed it.