I don't think from a narrative perspective is Slow, what I think makes it feel like that are the battles. Having a slow battle system in general, when you are doing those 1v1 fights, there is so much dead time between actions it feels like it drags. It's not until you consistently have the full 4 person group that the game gets over that.

And yeah, its after Quina the game starts to pick up. Not so much for Quina, but the introduction of both Beatrix and Kuja at Burmucia. The ruins of that city, the raining, the wonderful music, that was one of my favorite moments in the game.