Although Hietala makes Maiko's job easier, she can't help but give the woman a disapproving look. Of course, it's a half-hearted expression, one that she thinks she ought to give, although the smallest of grins beneath it likely gives away her actual gratitude. The line between helping and making a job easier could be a difficult one to walk at times, but Hietala seemed to know how to navigate it well enough. At least, Maiko thinks, she doesn't need to be the one to probe at, stretch, and pull on skin and fur just to get a better angle. Maiko already felt guilty enough about the discomfort that she was likely causing, and she's no desire to add to that if she can avoid it.

Her ears flicker at Hietala's words, and she cannot help but tilt her head and raise an eyebrow. She nods though, too busy with her task to offer words in response, but she hopes she can at least show some kind of understand. Although Maiko's affections for Diveen were very real and very earnest, she can understand to some degree. After all, not every part of Diveen was a place of comfort. Even after so many years of Koi and Senketsu, and her brothers, having left her, she still can't bring herself to make home in their dens or travel too often down the paths they had carved out all those years ago.

Maiko loses herself in her work, but her eyes flicker up to watch what little she could see of Hietala's expression as she begins to speak more. It was not wholly expected - Maiko had expected Hietala to fall into silence regarding her past, because it had not been one of comfort after all - and so, Maiko's attention is firmly upon her. She can't help but smirk and let out an amused huff when Hietala speaks of her father, and she shakes her head slowly in feigned disapproval. The story goes on though, and Maiko pauses for a moment as she feels a coldness in her chest. Has she truly never thought about her mother - her father - in such a way? Were they alive? How many years did they have left, or how many years had they lived outside of Moladion? How long...without Maiko? She shakes her head, and then quickly dives back into her work, faster then before with a renewed sense of needing to distract herself. Keep her thoughts elsewhere. Keep her thoughts on Hietala.

"Some are born with fates leading away from family. Perhaps they lead to new family. Different family." Her voice is surprisingly firm as she looks down at her work, skeptical of it but satisfied that it was at least better than what she had first started with. She gives Hietala a quick look - don't worry - and then strides quickly to the water, giving it a cautious sniff before she cleans her mouth and takes a short drink.

"I have never heard of the Thunder Mountain Pack. It must be far from here? Although... In my childhood, I did not hear many stories of lands beyond Moladion. I was born here, but my parents said it was not my homeland. It was a strange thing to say..." She trails off, almost musing to herself before she sighs, her shoulders rising and falling suddenly with the exhale. "At least, your path has lead you here now. It is not my best work, but it is something. Does it feel less stiff, at least?" Maiko had sensed a peculiar tension around Hietala when she had spoken of Thunder Mountain, and so she tries her best to redirect the woman's thoughts elsewhere. Besides, Maiko feels herself itching to get the help she really needs. Yin, she thinks, would be best, or perhaps even Cersei if she cannot find the former. No...definitely Yin, she thinks with a sheepish grin to herself, for she has no doubt that Cersei would let her know exactly where she wasn't up to scratch in terms of her handiwork. Yin was a more gentle presence, though Maiko immediately looks towards Diveen with an expression of concern. Yin was old, despite her child-like impression...How quickly could they make it? Could Maiko perhaps summon her out from Diveen to shorten the journey?

"Do you need food, or water? I can quickly fetch some. Then, I ought to get you a real Healer." She moves to crouch across from Hietala, on more equal footing. "When you are a little better, I would like to hear more of your story if you would share it." How could she not? Maiko wants to know more about the world outside Moladion, after all. She wants to know just what kind of world was good enough, interesting enough...enough to make her own family leave her.