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Whatever happened to Pintsize?

41 (37.6%)

Faye's story v.2.0.?

21 (19.3%)

Student, Girlfriend, Librarian or some combination of all three? Claire's Dilemma?

11 (10.1%)

How do you come back from firing your best friend?

20 (18.3%)

Something completely new (give your idea in a comment, plz)?

0 (0%)

"Marten, how would you feel about having three dads?"

16 (14.7%)

Total Members Voted: 99

Voting closed: 04 Feb 2015, 06:23

[explicit]

Another, slightly more disturbing plot twist: They're in Faye's room.

[Omega Entity]

 

[Aziraphale]

Still-further-plot-twist: Without realizing it, they've wandered into Jimbo's apartment.

[valkygrrl]

It makes far more sense, flow-wise, that Claire stepped in, the kiss happens, and they then migrated their way into (presumably) a bedroom.

That and the room they go into is darker than the hallways.

Interesting body language in panel 2, is she maintaining a small bubble of body space or just copping a feel?

[explicit]

I see that type of kiss all the time in comics, but never in real life. Like, it's an awkward way to kiss someone.

[jheartney]

I see that type of kiss all the time in comics, but never in real life. Like, it's an awkward way to kiss someone.

Claire has a smudge from Marten's nose on her glasses now. Well, where they're going she probably won't need them anyway.

[Dark Matter]

I am conflicted right now. On the one hand, the analytical side of my personality tends to agree that this all seemed to happen kind of quickly. On the other hand, the more emotional side of my personality is thinking YES!

Right now I am going with my emotional response and trusting in Jeph that he will show us what he needs to show us in order for this progression to make sense. I'm hoping for a conversation afterwards in which they talk about what this means for their relationship.

[HannahRose]

Sorry to break the plot twist chain, I just wanted to comment in response to some of the people who are musing about it being "too soon" for Claire and Marten to do.. whatever they might be doing.

It occurs to me that no where near the same number of people seemed to be as critical or concerned about Marten having a one night stand a while back with Tai's friend, nor were there as many complaints about him hooking up with Padma so soon after they'd met. This makes me wonder why, exactly, Claire and Marten doing whatever is such a big kerfuffle in comparison in some people's minds. When it comes right down to it, Claire is 24, Marten is 26, and whatever they want to do, or how soon they want to do it is up to them to decide as consenting, sober adults.

There's something else that I'd like to add as well, speculating about whether or not they should get together based on the stage that they're at in their relationship is one thing (although it's still no one's business but Claire and Marten's), but the comments about Claire's trans* status, and whether or not it should affect what's about to happen behind that door really bother me. The only people who are in any place to make decisions based on that are Claire herself, and by extension Marten, if indeed they are going further than cuddles. Other people discussing it just seems a little bit too close to a direct discussion about Claire's body, which if I'm not mistaken, is not allowed on these forums, since it's not only rude, but also potentially offensive to trans* people who may be reading the comments (and no, as has been stated over and over, just because Claire is fictional does not make it okay).

Case in point, I'm trans*, and those comments are offending me, since frankly, how I navigate my love life around, or in regards to my own body are my own business, and I would certainly not be pleased if a bunch of people I didn't know felt that it was their right to discuss what I should or shouldn't be doing at any point in time. I doubt that Claire would feel any differently.


And I know that some of you are well meaning, but believe me, it is still possible to be offensive even if you're coming from a place of concern. I mean it's sweet that you care, I guess, but again, it isn't, and shouldn't be anyone's business, nor concern what or when Claire does whatever she does with whoever she chooses to do it with, other than Claire herself. :/

Warning - while you were typing 4 new replies have been posted. You may wish to review your post. nothankyou

Edit: Thanks to the person who caught me using "Case and point" rather than the correct "Case in point". I'm ashamed of myself for such a careless mistake. -hides self-

[jheartney]

It makes far more sense, flow-wise, that Claire stepped in, the kiss happens, and they then migrated their way into (presumably) a bedroom.

I think this is right. The door in panel 1 is not the same door as in panels 3 and 4. Note the doorframe in the last two panels is thicker. Panel 1 is probably the apartment door, and 3 and 4 are Marten's bedroom door.

[Emperor Norton]

Its definitely his bedroom door.

The hallway outside their apartment does not have a chair rail (reference: http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1049 )

Also, the door he opens at first is definitely the front door. As if he was inside his bed room, it also, does not have chair rail. (reference: http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1048 )

[Orkboy]

I'm solidly in the "Woooo!" camp, though I feel like I should post something more insightful than just "wooo."

Given Claire's personality and Marten's level of chill-ness, it's entirely possible that it's just going to be cuddles.  It wouldn't surprise me at all, and I think the fanbase would happily accept that clarification as the next comic, because it both makes sense and still contains high levels of squee-inducing potential.  It would still be a significant step in their relationship.  On the other hand,

(click to show/hide)

[MightionNY]

All I'll say on the Marten/Claire relationship is that it shows me again that Marten is a far better person than I am.

[Dark Matter]

Sorry to break the plot twist chain, I just wanted to comment in response to some of the people who are musing about it being "too soon" for Claire and Marten to do.. whatever they might be doing.

It occurs to me that no where near the same number of people seemed to be as critical or concerned about Marten having a one night stand a while back with Tai's friend, nor were there as many complaints about him hooking up with Padma so soon after they'd met. This makes me wonder why, exactly, Claire and Marten doing whatever is such a big kerfuffle in comparison in some people's minds. When it comes right down to it, Claire is 24, Marten is 26, and whatever they want to do, or how soon they want to do it is up to them to decide as consenting, sober adults.

Sorry, I  know for myself wasn't really thinking hard enough about some of the subtext of my comments. I certainly didn't mean to imply that they shouldn't be doing what they're doing because she is trans, or even that they shouldn't be doing it at all. However, not having intended to say something offensive doesn't mean that I can't still say something offensive, and I apologize again for that. Like I said, I fall overall into the "Woooo!" camp. I just hope that as things progress Jeph gives us more insight into how their relationship is progressing. Especially since I want Claire and Marten's relationship to be a lot longer and healthier than his relationship with Padma or Tai's friend.

[Omega Entity]

Sorry to break the plot twist chain, I just wanted to comment in response to some of the people who are musing about it being "too soon" for Claire and Marten to do.. whatever they might be doing.

It occurs to me that no where near the same number of people seemed to be as critical or concerned about Marten having a one night stand a while back with Tai's friend, nor were there as many complaints about him hooking up with Padma so soon after they'd met. This makes me wonder why, exactly, Claire and Marten doing whatever is such a big kerfuffle in comparison in some people's minds. When it comes right down to it, Claire is 24, Marten is 26, and whatever they want to do, or how soon they want to do it is up to them to decide as consenting, sober adults.

There's something else that I'd like to add as well, speculating about whether or not they should get together based on the stage that they're at in their relationship is one thing (although it's still no one's business but Claire and Marten's), but the comments about Claire's trans* status apparently having something to do with it really bother me. The only people who are in any place to make decisions based on that are Claire herself, and by extension Marten, if indeed they are going further than cuddles. Other people discussing it just seems a little bit too close to a direct discussion about Claire's body, which if I'm not mistaken, is not allowed on these forums, since it's not only rude to discuss another person's body, but also potentially offensive to trans* people who may be reading the comments (and no, as has been stated over and over, just because Claire is fictional does not make it okay).

Case and point, I'm trans*, and those comments are offending me, since frankly, how I navigate my own love life around, or in concordance with my body are my own business, and I would certainly not be pleased if a bunch of people I didn't know felt that it was their right to discuss what I should or shouldn't be doing at any point in time. I doubt that Claire would feel any differently.


And I know that some of you are well meaning, but believe me, it is still possible to be offensive even if you're coming from a place of concern. Again, it shouldn't be anyone's business, nor concern what or when Claire does whatever she does with whoever she chooses to do it with (not because of her trans* status, at least). :/

Warning - while you were typing 4 new replies have been posted. You may wish to review your post. nothankyou

If you had read my post, you'd have seen that my interpretation of it being 'too soon' was that I recalled Claire having not had any relationship experience previously (her unique situation being entirely secondary to that fact), inferring that usually people who are are new to relationships in general don't usually jump into it nearly as quickly. The -only- reason I made any reference pertaining to Claire's trans* status was as a potential reason for her to be more apprehensive about the inevitable next step in the relationship, as it pertains to it requiring an extra layer of trust as opposed to a standard cis relationship. I think you're doing everyone a disservice here by automatically assuming that the 'too soon' comments are directly correlated to her status.

In regards to Marten and his experiences, all parties involved were no strangers to relationships, and specially, those of a sexual nature. It makes absolute sense that they wouldn't have apprehension about the activities involved, as opposed to a virgin (-any- virgin. I don't want words put in my mouth.). And therefore, it makes sense that there isn't the discussion of 'too soon' when it comes to those relationships.

I get that you'd be offended, and it sucks that you feel that way. But I think that I can say that most of us that do screw up, do so out of a place of ignorance (of the non-willful kind) and naivete, more so than any deliberate lack of respect. I get a bit grumpy when it feels like I'm being accused of being offensive when it wasn't my intent, but hopefully I've better explained my earlier post. For me, I know I react better to gentle education. But I also appreciate that some required the not-so-soft touch of a clue-by-four.

[Lubricus]

Still-further-plot-twist: Without realizing it, they've wandered into Jimbo's apartment.

Or Hannelore's. That has happened before, just with a different couple.

[iasthai]

Just going by avatars, I'd expect AprilArcus to be the one saying this.

Don't let it fool you. Hannelore in the streets, Sven in the sheets.

Pintsize in the sheets is where the real fun's at.

[Mr. Skawronska]

Well, it's about time Marten and Claire hooked up.  Good for them!  Woooo!

[Is it cold in here?]

<snip>
It occurs to me that no where near the same number of people seemed to be as critical or concerned about Marten having a one night stand a while back with Tai's friend, nor were there as many complaints about him hooking up with Padma so soon after they'd met. This makes me wonder why, exactly, Claire and Marten doing whatever is such a big kerfuffle in comparison in some people's minds.
<snip>
The only people who are in any place to make decisions based on that are Claire herself, and by extension Marten, if indeed they are going further than cuddles.

The two people concerned have already agreed with each other to take things in stride.

I think the "too soon" criticism is a criticism of the writing, not of the relationship, from people who didn't see how long Jeph was laying the groundwork for this. AprilArcus pointed out some nuances of Claire's body language in earlier strips that showed she's been constantly working to overcome relationship anxiety all along.

[wdfarmer]

Claire's "puppy-dog" expression, raised eyebrows, and body language says to me, in the context of this strip:
    "I've decided that you're the guy for me.  Here I am.  Will you take me?  Whatever you want to do is fine."

On the other hand, if I received that expression from a woman in real life, I'd be concerned that there was something wrong that had gobsmacked her, and I'd want to find how I could help her.

[Mr. Skawronska]

So are you all this binary and unforgiving in your real-life relationships?

No.   First off, Faye isn't anyone I'd call a friend.  Ever.  Any "relationship" I'd have with someone like that would be at the very BEST, professional and from a great distance.  Because I dislike Faye so intensely I reserve the right to cut her no slack whatsoever.  And being mean to Hanners is like kicking a kitten.

Warning - while you were typing all this new Faye-Hatorade a new reply has been posted. You may wish to consider how long it's been since you piled on the Faye-hate and maybe hold off for another page.

[BenRG]

Firstly: I! Freakin'! Called! It!

A long while back, I guessed that Marten and Claire's first intimate encounter would be triggered by a highly emotionally-charged moment. I'd thought (and hoped) that it would be after a particularly successful date but this works just as well.

As for 'too soon'? Well, I'm a firm believer in sex after marriage, so my viewpoint is probably somewhat different from some. However, in story and characterisation terms, this feels right. Marten feels punchy and maybe more than a little sad, so he wanted something light and joyful to cling to. Claire decided that, with a sick friend, Marten would need comfort and support. I'm wondering if she went over with the intention of staking her claim on him in an unequivocal way, motivated by a fear that focus on Faye's problems would distract him from her. However, at that moment, she saw in him all the the loved about him - his compassion and care for his friends - and suddenly needed to express her feelings.

Then again, I'm a romantic. 

I'm pretty sure that something sexual is happening, based on the fact that Marten locked his bedroom door behind him. They might not "go all the way" but I expect that they'll go far. I expect Faye to complain to Hanners at some point that, while she's a believer in the free expression of love, did they need to express it for four damn hours?

PREDICTION for next week

• Tai teases Claire about her 'got some last night' glow;
• Faye threatens Claire with death if she hurts Marten;
• Faye then turns to Marten and threatens him with death if he hurts Claire.

[Lubricus]

And Marten, as the sly dog he is, has put off reviving Pintsize until after sexy time is over... 

[swapna]

Friggin' finally. I hope when they (or Jeph, don't know) got that out of their system, there'll be less content-deprived saccharine comics about those two.

Okay, let's be realistic, I don't really think so,  but there's still hope!

To soon/Finally: I think that kind if intimacy between them is usual at that point, though I would have preferred it if Claire had the initiative. She doesn't look that happy approaching the door and after that it's hard to know since she's all obscured by make-outs.

Pintsize: I hope he's all right! I've got a craving for crude dick-jokes right now.

[HannahRose]

If you had read my post, you'd have seen that my interpretation of it being 'too soon' was that I recalled Claire having not had any relationship experience previously (her unique situation being entirely secondary to that fact), inferring that usually people who are are new to relationships in general don't usually jump into it nearly as quickly. The -only- reason I made any reference pertaining to Claire's trans* status was as a potential reason for her to be more apprehensive about the inevitable next step in the relationship, as it pertains to there requiring to be an extra layer of trust as opposed to a standard cis relationship. I think you're doing (mostly) everyone a disservice here by automatically assuming that the 'too soon' comments are directly correlated to her status.

In regards to Marten and his experiences, all parties involved were no strangers to relationships, and specially, those of a sexual nature. It makes absolute sense that they wouldn't have apprehension about the activities involved, as opposed to a virgin (-any- virgin. I don't want words put in my mouth.).

I think context, and intent to insult really should be taken more into consideration before getting one's choice of undergarments into a bunch. Sometimes people don't know the exact way to approach a discussion, and it seems like no matter how careful someone is, -someone- (not pointing fingers) is going to get offended. It seems far more constructive to gently correct them, rather than chastise them as a whole - making them feel like terrible people for making honest mistakes has a habit of getting people's dander up, rather than wanting to make them want to learn the proper way to address things.

Edit: I get that you'd be offended, and it sucks that you feel that way. But I think that I can say that most of us that do screw up, do so out of a place of ignorance (of the non-willful kind) and naivete, more so than any deliberate lack of respect. I get a bit grumpy when it feels like I'm being accused of being offensive when it wasn't my intent, but hopefully I've better explained my earlier post. For me, I know I react better to gentle education. But I also appreciate that some required the not-so-soft touch of a clue-by-four.

My post wasn't in response to you, at least not specifically.

Now that you mention it though, unless Claire specifically asked for advice about how careful she should be, I still feel that it's no one's place to offer it, even if that advice is coming from concern. Like I said, It's her business, and her decision, not ours.

In regard to my original post apparently coming across as unduly harsh, or sounding like I was chastising people, that wasn't my intention. I've been told that I'm very blunt when it comes to this subject, even when I'm trying to be educational rather than condescending. I guess it's just a habit that I've developed after having had to explain all of this stuff a thousand times to people I know in real life. <- I know that last sentence sounds like I'm being condescending, but I'm not, it's just true. lol

Response to edit:
Maybe I could have worded the whole "I'm offended" part of my post a little bit better, but believe me my intent wasn't to accuse so much as it was to emphasize just how easy it is to *be* offensive with that kind of discussion, even if/when your intentions are completely innocent/coming from a place of concern. Thus proving (well, as much as anecdotal evidence *can* prove something) my point that it's probably better to just avoid the subject all together.


(This next part isn't really specifically in response to you either.)
As for my opinion that any discussion about Claire's sex life which relates to her trans* status is just too close for comfort to a discussion about her body, I do realize that that's all it is, my opinion. I'm aware that other people might feel differently, and even though I interpreted it as something that shouldn't be allowed on the forums, I'm obviously no mod, so if they choose to let that type of discussion happen then there's not much that I can do about it. All I can do, and all I was trying to do, was state that I don't like it, and that I feel that it's an (potentially) offensive topic of discussion which should be avoided if possible. That said, I'm not going to spam the report button if other people do wish to discuss it though, but in that event, I just hope that they remember to choose their words carefully at least, since it could very easily cross the line between a thoughtful discussion, and an offensive one.

Given how generally thoughtful and considerate the people who post here usually are though, I'm honestly not all that worried about any such discussion devolving into something unsavory, but nevertheless I still felt the need to comment on it given how close to home the issue is for me personally.

[Omega Entity]

I've actually edited down my original post after conferring with IICIH, since I was in a bit of a heated place at first posting 

Indeed, if she wanted advice she'd ask for it. She's certainly not afraid to speak up. Rather than advice I was pointing out, it was really just commentary on on the relationship in general. No advice on my part

[sluthy]

Prediction for tomorrow:

An unresponsive Pintsize, who has been placed in Marten's room for safekeeping, wakes up.

"Oh man, what happe-"
...
:0
...

...
*record*

[Penquin47]

It occurs to me that no where near the same number of people seemed to be as critical or concerned about Marten having a one night stand a while back with Tai's friend, nor were there as many complaints about him hooking up with Padma so soon after they'd met. This makes me wonder why, exactly, Claire and Marten doing whatever is such a big kerfuffle in comparison in some people's minds. When it comes right down to it, Claire is 24, Marten is 26, and whatever they want to do, or how soon they want to do it is up to them to decide as consenting, sober adults.

And for it being Claire's first relationship, I present counter-argument Marigold/Dale.  They had anime weekend, CoD makeout session, and Marigold having a medical emergency that torpedoed their first official date.  I remember a lot of jokes about pancakes, but nowhere near as much criticism of it being "too soon".  In fact it was specifically addressed in-comic with Marigold asking Momo for reassurance and Momo telling her that it's her business and no one else's when she chose to start having sex with her boyfriend (obviously, boyfriend gets a say, but I seriously doubt Dale was judging Marigold there).  Marten's shown time and again that he's respectful of consent and that if his partner says she wants to wait, he'll wait.

I can understand the argument that Claire's first time should be, if not something special, at least about her and Marten instead of Marten needing comfort after dealing with Faye.  But not having relationship experience doesn't mean not being able to say "I'm not ready" or "We shouldn't do this now."

[Omega Entity]

Diff'rent strokes for diff'rent folks. I get that. It just took my geeky ass a couple of months with my first boyfriend before I was ready to lose my virginity 

[swapna]

Prediction for tomorrow:

An unresponsive Pintsize, who has been placed in Marten's room for safekeeping, wakes up.

"Oh man, what happe-"
...
:0
...

...
*record*

I wonder what place it would have on the AnthroPC-only message board

[BenRG]

Prediction for tomorrow:

An unresponsive Pintsize, who has been placed in Marten's room for safekeeping, wakes up.

"Oh man, what happe-"
...
:0
...

...
*record*

I wonder what place it would have on the AnthroPC-only message board

I doubt that they're much interested in human gland-games, except for the weirdos on /h/.

[HannahRose]

It occurs to me that no where near the same number of people seemed to be as critical or concerned about Marten having a one night stand a while back with Tai's friend, nor were there as many complaints about him hooking up with Padma so soon after they'd met. This makes me wonder why, exactly, Claire and Marten doing whatever is such a big kerfuffle in comparison in some people's minds. When it comes right down to it, Claire is 24, Marten is 26, and whatever they want to do, or how soon they want to do it is up to them to decide as consenting, sober adults.

And for it being Claire's first relationship, I present counter-argument Marigold/Dale.  They had anime weekend, CoD makeout session, and Marigold having a medical emergency that torpedoed their first official date.  I remember a lot of jokes about pancakes, but nowhere near as much criticism of it being "too soon".  In fact it was specifically addressed in-comic with Marigold asking Momo for reassurance and Momo telling her that it's her business and no one else's when she chose to start having sex with her boyfriend (obviously, boyfriend gets a say, but I seriously doubt Dale was judging Marigold there).  Marten's shown time and again that he's respectful of consent and that if his partner says she wants to wait, he'll wait.

I can understand the argument that Claire's first time should be, if not something special, at least about her and Marten instead of Marten needing comfort after dealing with Faye.  But not having relationship experience doesn't mean not being able to say "I'm not ready" or "We shouldn't do this now."

I can't believe I forgot about Maridale as an example, but that is perfect... Thank you. haha

[Omega Entity]

To be fair, that one struck me as a bit rushed, too 

[Is it cold in here?]

Hannah, you do have forum rules acknowledging the same things you've said: https://forums.questionablecontent.net/index.php/topic,27423.msg1205549.html#msg1205549 . Among other things, my post there was an attempt to short-circuit some of the Far Too Frequently Asked Questions that even the ambassadorial types get tired of seeing.

Please do PM with suggestions for any changes you see as necessary or advisable.

[swapna]

Prediction for tomorrow:

An unresponsive Pintsize, who has been placed in Marten's room for safekeeping, wakes up.

"Oh man, what happe-"
...
:0
...

...
*record*

I wonder what place it would have on the AnthroPC-only message board

I doubt that they're much interested in human gland-games, except for the weirdos on /h/.

That actually made me laugh. Now my co-workers think I'm a weirdo 

Sooo.. it's just used for blackmail?

[Loki]

Oh please. First GF and I had our first date (which was also our first meeting ever) and were almost cuddling by the end of it.
For our third date one week later, I took her up to a really romantic place, and viscious makeouts were had.
Were we moving too fast? Too bad.

[USS Martenclaire]

My prediction for tomorrow is that its the following morning. We see Marten kiss Claire goodbye at the door and we have no idea whether they slept together, kissed and cuddled or built a duvet fort together. :p

[swapna]

Oh please. First GF and I had our first date (which was also our first meeting ever) and were almost cuddling by the end of it.
For our third date one week later, I took her up to a really romantic place, and viscious makeouts were had.
Were we moving too fast? Too bad.

Well, you're not Claire. She takes it slow - she didn't kiss Marten because he was drunk, she obviously wanted make-outs but went for Ice-cream..

[Omega Entity]

Oh please. First GF and I had our first date (which was also our first meeting ever) and were almost cuddling by the end of it.
For our third date one week later, I took her up to a really romantic place, and viscious makeouts were had.
Were we moving too fast? Too bad.

I was referring to 'too soon', in comparison to my own personal pace (which is akin to that of a tortoise on barbituates), not as any overt criticism. To each their own.

[Is it cold in here?]

I think that would be great!

Come of think of it, there is one thing in the course of Marten and Claire's relationship that happened with unusual speed. She was impressively quick to size up Marten's character and realize he could be trusted with a major, indeed safety-related, confidence.

Everything else has been hesitant or self-disciplined ("I hate being reasonable").

EDIT: Let's make the duvet fort the new forum headcanon.

(How would an anxious person embarking on her first relationship feel if her makeout partner fell asleep?)

[HannahRose]

To be fair, that one struck me as a bit rushed, too 

See, I really don't mind if people are at least consistent with their judgements about when it's too soon to hop into bed with someone. I mean if that's what works for you, and even if you feel that that's how other people should act as well, then that's awesome, no judgements here (as long as you're just as respectful of other people's choices anyway). The main reason that this whole thing with Claireten irked me is because the number of people who seem concerned about how quickly they might get into bed together seems to be significantly larger than the number of people who were concerned about any other couple/pairing. I mean it may just be (on these forums anyway) that more people care about Claire and Marten than Marigold and Dale for example, but based on some of the comments that I've seen, not just on these forums, but elsewhere on the web as well, it's pretty obvious that there's another reason for that concern beyond just the sheer size of each character's fanbase. And that reason is why I got my back up.

Ultimately, I honestly don't care if people want to discuss whether or not you should hop into bed with someone after being in a relationship with, or even just knowing them for a few days. I mean I still don't feel that it's any of their business, or mine for that matter, but as long as they're respectful and just stating an opinion without being forceful or judgemntal about it, then it's whatever. Trans* status is different though, it's far more personal than simple matters of perceived propriety, and not something that should be discussed by anyone other than the trans* person themselves, and/or anyone they choose to discuss it with. (She repeats yet again. lol)

... Yay for another needlessly long and repetitive post. Sorry, I guess I'm in a bit of a ranty mood tonight. haha

Hannah, you do have forum rules acknowledging the same things you've said: https://forums.questionablecontent.net/index.php/topic,27423.msg1205549.html#msg1205549 . Among other things, my post there was an attempt to short-circuit some of the Far Too Frequently Asked Questions that even the ambassadorial types get tired of seeing.

Please do PM with suggestions for any changes you see as necessary or advisable.

I'll keep that in mind, thank you.

[McH]

She doesn't look that happy approaching the door and after that it's hard to know since she's all obscured by make-outs.

She's in a new relationship. Her first relationship. Her boyfriend just went through this thing with Faye nearly drinking herself to death, and cancelled their date for that. I read Claire's face as worried, foremost. Worried about Marten, about what mood he might be in with that kind of stress and responsibility, whether he would be receptive to her. What is she supposed to do - barge in the door smooch-first? Not very logical. Ensuing make-outs once they've connected - yeah, those are logical and a lot more healthy than getting drunk to dealing with the stress of it.

I like today's strip. Also: squeee.

[anahata]

To soon/Finally: I think that kind if intimacy between them is usual at that point, though I would have preferred it if Claire had the initiative. She doesn't look that happy approaching the door and after that it's hard to know since she's all obscured by make-outs.

How do we know that she didn't take the initiative (or at least consent willingly) in turning up at Marten's place?
I think her "unhappy" look is more nervousness at the prospect of possibly venturing into uncharted waters, but it's pretty clear from previous comics (like the "ice cream" incident) what she wants.
Anyway, as others have said, we don't really know what they are going to do, and at some level of detail we don't need to.

Also nobody's mentioned yet that Claire and Marten have had a planned date interrupted by Faye's hospital incident, so there's some frustration and a bit of catching up to do.

I read Claire's face as worried, foremost. Worried about Marten, about what mood he might be in with that kind of stress and responsibility, whether he would be receptive to her.

Yes, that too.

Edited to add:
Look at Claire's body language in panels 2 and 3. Someone commented on her hands in panel 2 - she's maybe not quite sure how happy Marten is to see her, and he's the one that made the first move. Followed by panel 3: arms thrown round his neck as nervous Claire relaxes, reassured that he wants her.

[NilsO]

Still, I guess Jeph will be careful drawing or describing Claire/Marten in a sexual context (like he did with Sven/Faye or Sven/Gina Riversmith). I guess Claire and Marten are fully clothed if we get a peek behind the bedroom door, but the most probable scenario is Marten and Claire coming out of the same bedroom door, encountering Faye for breakfast in tomorrow's strip. Whatever happened behind that door, will remain hidden. Faye should make pancakes. Claire's face will be redder than Grade A Dark Amber maple syrup.

[Thrillho]

BOW CHICKA BOW BOWWWWWW

I see that type of kiss all the time in comics, but never in real life. Like, it's an awkward way to kiss someone.

That must vary, because I'm a glasses wearer and my girlfriend is an occasional glasses wearer and we kiss like that all the time, brah.

[NilsO]

Alternative Friday strip: Yelling Bird! But I would prefer to know what happened to Pintsize. This scenario from last week is just brilliant:

Look like we're being set up for the typical "Friday comis relief" strip tomorrow...

Personally, I'd like to see the Pintsize equivalent of Faye's intermittent blackout sequence from earlier this week:

Black screen... Panicked Winslow... Black screen... examined by Marigold... black screen... trying to grab Momo's behind... black screen... being punched by May... black screen... hand plugged to some kind of device... black screen...

[Lubricus]

It would be kind of cool if friday's strip is Faye turning Pintsize back on, followed by the two of them awkwardly trying to have a conversation while ignoring the obvious sex sounds coming from Marten's room... 

[NilsO]

It would be kind of cool if friday's strip is Faye turning Pintsize back on, followed by the two of them awkwardly trying to have a conversation while ignoring the obvious sex sounds coming from Marten's room... 

Pintsize ignoring sex sounds? In your dreams...

[swapna]

To soon/Finally: I think that kind if intimacy between them is usual at that point, though I would have preferred it if Claire had the initiative. She doesn't look that happy approaching the door and after that it's hard to know since she's all obscured by make-outs.

How do we know that she didn't take the initiative (or at least consent willingly) in turning up at Marten's place?
I think her "unhappy" look is more nervousness at the prospect of possibly venturing into uncharted waters, but it's pretty clear from previous comics (like the "ice cream" incident) what she wants.
Anyway, as others have said, we don't really know what they are going to do, and at some level of detail we don't need to.

I'm not questioning her consent. Both of them have shown (or said) that they want. This comic would have benefited from a few words, since I can't imagine showing up at my partner's house after such an incident and not asking about their and their friend's well-being, and this comic rushes through - open door/make-outs/disappearing in a bedroom.

Also nobody's mentioned yet that Claire and Marten have had a planned date interrupted by Faye's hospital incident, so there's some frustration and a bit of catching up to do.

I read Claire's face as worried, foremost. Worried about Marten, about what mood he might be in with that kind of stress and responsibility, whether he would be receptive to her.

Yes, that too.

Edited to add:
Look at Claire's body language in panels 2 and 3. Someone commented on her hands in panel 2 - she's maybe not quite sure how happy Marten is to see her, and he's the one that made the first move. Followed by panel 3: arms thrown round his neck as nervous Claire relaxes, reassured that he wants her.

Saw it. That's why I assumed Marten had the initiative.

[ZoeB]

Sometimes a couple just..... clicks.

[BenRG]

It's my feeling that Claire may have initiated this.

I can't read Jeph's mind but it's my guess that Claire went to Marten's apartment to offer support for him after what was undoubtedly a stressful 24 hours. Did, as I stated in my previous post, she also want to take some action to avoid being sidelined whilst Marten was focussed on Faye's recovery? In her insecurity, had she decided to seduce him to make sure of her place in his life? Perhaps. However, I don't think that was the driver of what we see in this strip.

In terms of interpreting what happens between panels 1 and 2, the problem is that we can't see Marten's expression. We can see Claire is trying to show empathy to Marten but we can't see his initial response. It's my guess that, as well as the expected sadness, Claire also saw that he was glad to have her there; that he needed her there. Seeing that welcome, Claire just responded near-instinctively. From that point on, they were just both doing what they felt right, somehow navigating the lounge whilst in lip-lock and then into Marten's bedroom.

I hope that Faye has some earplugs because it's been established that she can hear Marten talking in his room so louder noises will be easily audible.