The Plot Sickens

This party has been going on for more than 40 strips now (Claire & Co. saying goodbye to Marten at #5602, arriving at Willow's/Iris'/Yemisi's apartment at #5603). It has been interrupted by 3 or 4 or so strips centering on the conversation Marten/Faye/Bubbles/Pintsize.

Let's move back in time and see how parties were handled and paced before... say... 2010?

#1673 Faye invites Angus & Marigold to a "Beer and stupid YT clips" evening to their apartment.
The whole evening with plenty of character development and interpersonal drama is concluded by #1692, that means not even 20 entertaining strips later. Half of what we went through until now with regard to the ongoing.... situation.

#2613ff. has Tai bringing Marten along for a party at Delilah's place. The evening, including Marten's hooking up with the host, are concluded in ~15 comics.