#joybooth

Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day, @joybooth!

Summary: “So maybe… a bet would help you see your way through it,” he finally completed. With a hand on his knee and a quiet groan, he sat up in his chair. “One month, starting with today’s game,” Mike said, leveling her with a challenging stare. “If you can lower your foul average to… let’s say four per game…” He paused to give her a shit-eating grin that was probably beyond his conceited control to keep in. It was more so the number that had her curious though. “Then I win.”

Or... A competition where the winner gets to pick their prize and they choose a date with the other.

Rating: Teen Word Count: 8135  Relationships: Ginny Baker/Mike Lawson Characters: Ginny Baker, Mike Lawson Additional Tags: Bets & Wagers, classic Bawson banter, Mike's full of himself, Ginny's used to it, Friendship, A bit of UST, POV Ginny

How does it work

So, on January 1st, the sign up form will be posted here. It’s just a google form that you fill out with your name and preferences. What preferences, you ask? Here are the main ones: 

What kind of gift you want to give and receive

Can be: fanfic, edit/graphic, gifset, fanart, fanmix, fanvid, or something else I haven’t thought of

What ships or characters you like

What kind of themes/tropes/frameworks you like

If you have any prompts for your Secret Valentine

If there’s anything you do not want included, either in the gift you give or receive.

After the sign up period is over on January 14th, and all the participants are matched, a mod will contact you over tumblr IM with your recipient and all their relevant information. Once everyone confirms their assignment, you have a little under a month to create something from the request your recipient left and submit it to the AO3 collection if it’s a fic or the submit box if it’s not or you don’t have an AO3 account. 

As long as everything goes to plan, everyone’s gift will go live over the course of the day on February 14th. Creators of those gifts will be revealed three days later on the 17th.

The Joybooths are a significant element, representing a form of escapism in the society of the USNA. Here's an overview of their role and impact:

Escapism and Addiction: Joybooths are devices used by the population for escapism. They become a means for people to avoid dealing with the harsh realities of their world. This widespread use leads to addiction, where individuals excessively indulge in the experiences provided by the Joybooths.

Joybooth Suicide: One of the more disturbing aspects of Joybooth usage is the phenomenon of 'Joybooth suicide.' This term refers to people who, addicted to the escapism offered by the Joybooths, end up neglecting their basic needs to the point of death.

Social Commentary: The existence and popularity of Joybooths serve as a social commentary on the state of the society in the game. They symbolize the collective desire to escape from a reality that has become increasingly unbearable due to the failures of the Plan for Renewed National Purpose.

Public Debate and Criticism: In the game's narrative, Joybooths are a subject of public debate and criticism. Some people argue that they contribute to the moral decline of the country by providing an easy escape from responsibilities, thereby exacerbating issues like unemployment and criminal behavior.

Reflection of Societal Decline: The increasing dependence on Joybooths by the population is reflective of the broader decline of the USNA society under the Plan for Renewed National Purpose. It highlights the neglect of mental health and well-being in the pursuit of economic and political goals.

@joybooth, wishing you the best Valentine’s Day ever!

Summary: Mike goes out on a date.

Rating: General Word Count: 2246 Relationships: Ginny Baker/Mike Lawson Characters: — Additional Tags: —