I don't get why so many people are trying to see signs of trouble in the interaction between Marten and Claire.
Me neither.
This is innocent fun, in the context of making at least a token effort to curb their excitement and behave like adults while they're at work.
Almost or actually failing in this could have some comedy potential, too.
Hi all! Delurking for a moment. I religiously read the comic and forums, though I almost never post (I think I still have a single-digit post count!) but this comic has inspired me to share my thoughts!
For the first time in a long while, I really didn't care for a strip, for the reasons already mentioned by a handful of people. Marten's kissed Claire in response to her request to maintain professionalism in the workplace. While I agree that, from Marten's side, he thought he was being cute and flirty, and the wording of Claire's request ("
When we go through those doors, we're two library employees, and nothing more" left things open for his actions outside the doors (if you're a pedant), but the gist of the request was clear (work at work, smooches at home) and he violated that one request right out of the starting gate. They probably should have hashed this out before they were at the library doors, but nevertheless...
Also, Marten's her sort-of boss, and for Claire (unlike all the other characters who work at the library), this is a gateway to her dream career, so not only does perhaps not want to have the idea of an "office romance" attached with her, professionally, but also she probably doesn't want her performance to suffer because she is distracted by her snuggle buddy.
I also wonder if part of her request is to control information, so she can tell people about their new status on her own terms, rather than letting everybody know all at once.
I would probably have been totally fine with things if this strip were about Tai throwing an Arbor Day party and spilling the beans (as a third party), but as it is, I read it as Marten disrespecting Claire's direct request, which just rankles. My two cents, for what it's worth (:
Okay, relurking!!