I decided to treat myself to Leveling Roulette on Srazahn (the dancer alt) and after about a week of doing that with a friend (also on their alt, although theirs needs the levels unlike mine) I seem to have the mental momentum to get myself to make some forward progress on MSQ. Huzzah!
Srazahn has finished Ishikawa's Wild 4.0 Ride, beaten the level 67 dungeon, and is presently ESCing out of cutscenes towards... *squints at notes* Fringes Part 2? Hardly the worst part of MSQ, even if I'm not going to slow down to savor it because I want! to unlock! the level 70 poetics gear vendor!!!!