Undercaffeinated Eel
@caffeinatedeel.bsky.social
Oh, and completely forgot: meal worms are very common as protein because they can grown in bulk, sometimes dried and ground as an additive, or served fresh either steamed or fried.
January 14, 2026 at 6:52 AM
Oh, and completely forgot: meal worms are very common as protein because they can grown in bulk, sometimes dried and ground as an additive, or served fresh either steamed or fried.
Because food carts and most restaurants are unlicensed street food is essentially illegal, compounded by many ingredients being smuggled in. Usually the govt isn't going to send the troops in to arrest the noodle guy but they might snap him up during a raid out of spite or to meet a quota.
January 14, 2026 at 6:33 AM
Because food carts and most restaurants are unlicensed street food is essentially illegal, compounded by many ingredients being smuggled in. Usually the govt isn't going to send the troops in to arrest the noodle guy but they might snap him up during a raid out of spite or to meet a quota.
Spices: bulk spice (pepper and garlic) is shipped in but mostly it's grow-your-own and spice has to be used sparingly. As such the main seasoning is salt and dried pepper grown in the greenhouses. Most spices are dried and ground, not fresh. As such Project food tends to be a bit bland.
January 14, 2026 at 6:28 AM
Spices: bulk spice (pepper and garlic) is shipped in but mostly it's grow-your-own and spice has to be used sparingly. As such the main seasoning is salt and dried pepper grown in the greenhouses. Most spices are dried and ground, not fresh. As such Project food tends to be a bit bland.
Also alcohol: vodka is brewed from potatoes and sugar beets (which also provide sugar) and whiskey is made from corn, and sour mash (reusing the mash, sometimes several times) is common. "Kilo Wine" is made by fermenting soda and juice. It's all low quality but it'll get your drunk.
January 14, 2026 at 6:22 AM
Also alcohol: vodka is brewed from potatoes and sugar beets (which also provide sugar) and whiskey is made from corn, and sour mash (reusing the mash, sometimes several times) is common. "Kilo Wine" is made by fermenting soda and juice. It's all low quality but it'll get your drunk.
Peanut butter is also a staple and fresh-baked bread is available along with loafs of cheap white bread. Most pre-made food is low-quality and full of fillers and preservatives. Fresh food is used sparingly and everything is used - there's not enough to waste.
January 14, 2026 at 6:20 AM
Peanut butter is also a staple and fresh-baked bread is available along with loafs of cheap white bread. Most pre-made food is low-quality and full of fillers and preservatives. Fresh food is used sparingly and everything is used - there's not enough to waste.
Licensed restaurants can order bulk bags of fake meat, frozen veggies, spices, oil, and canned goods and often over-order and sell at a premium. Noodles - usually spaghetti style - are everywhere and cooks get creative with sauces, and rice is a staple. American cheese is used creatively.
January 14, 2026 at 6:17 AM
Licensed restaurants can order bulk bags of fake meat, frozen veggies, spices, oil, and canned goods and often over-order and sell at a premium. Noodles - usually spaghetti style - are everywhere and cooks get creative with sauces, and rice is a staple. American cheese is used creatively.
Still researching but staples include chakalaka (veggie and bean relish) over pap (corn meal), couscous (made from corn and other ingredients), samp (like hominy), fufu, and others. Portions usually aren't generous - there's just not enough to go around - but anyone with money can eat pretty good.
January 14, 2026 at 6:13 AM
Still researching but staples include chakalaka (veggie and bean relish) over pap (corn meal), couscous (made from corn and other ingredients), samp (like hominy), fufu, and others. Portions usually aren't generous - there's just not enough to go around - but anyone with money can eat pretty good.
Street food is everywhere. In Kilo Complex there are people from all over: Central and South America, all over African, and Southeast Asia, all mixed together. Food carts are everywhere and creative cooks make do with substitutions. Anything that can be made with corn and flour is.
January 14, 2026 at 6:11 AM
Street food is everywhere. In Kilo Complex there are people from all over: Central and South America, all over African, and Southeast Asia, all mixed together. Food carts are everywhere and creative cooks make do with substitutions. Anything that can be made with corn and flour is.
People are creative though. Vegetables are grown in green houses and smuggled chickens, rabbits, and guinea pigs provide eggs and meant. Anyone who can get a grow light grows their own spices and bottled relishes and pickles are common. Fresh food is still expensive though.
January 14, 2026 at 6:08 AM
People are creative though. Vegetables are grown in green houses and smuggled chickens, rabbits, and guinea pigs provide eggs and meant. Anyone who can get a grow light grows their own spices and bottled relishes and pickles are common. Fresh food is still expensive though.
Researching now and making myself hungry 😁
January 14, 2026 at 5:44 AM
Researching now and making myself hungry 😁
I suppose there'd be heavy North/South/West African influence, lots of Central and South American, and Southeast Asian from climate refugees, plus good ol' Soul Food from the US South. Not a lot of meat - just fake stuff plus rabbit and guinea pig. Fresh veggies are expensive too.
January 14, 2026 at 5:32 AM
I suppose there'd be heavy North/South/West African influence, lots of Central and South American, and Southeast Asian from climate refugees, plus good ol' Soul Food from the US South. Not a lot of meat - just fake stuff plus rabbit and guinea pig. Fresh veggies are expensive too.
One I haven't put a lot of thought into - requires a lot of research! My character lives in a multiethnic community so there's plenty of good food, just shortages of fresh ingredients. Most people live off TV dinners and junk because it's super cheap and available through their UBI.
January 14, 2026 at 5:29 AM
One I haven't put a lot of thought into - requires a lot of research! My character lives in a multiethnic community so there's plenty of good food, just shortages of fresh ingredients. Most people live off TV dinners and junk because it's super cheap and available through their UBI.
Thanks you! I was aware of them once but didn't know what the movement was called and was vaguely aware it had come counter-culture elements on top of being swag.
January 13, 2026 at 2:33 PM
Thanks you! I was aware of them once but didn't know what the movement was called and was vaguely aware it had come counter-culture elements on top of being swag.
*googles*
THERE IS NOW!!!!!
THERE IS NOW!!!!!
January 13, 2026 at 12:40 PM
*googles*
THERE IS NOW!!!!!
THERE IS NOW!!!!!
Noooooo! Don't give up Chiitan! We're cheering for you! 💖
January 13, 2026 at 9:00 AM
Noooooo! Don't give up Chiitan! We're cheering for you! 💖
Environment: the Projects are built in wastelands. It's always too hot and either too wet or too dry - no in between. The buildings are air conditioned but the AC is bad and sometimes the air is too. There is water filtration but it's unreliable; drink at your own risk.
January 13, 2026 at 8:58 AM
Environment: the Projects are built in wastelands. It's always too hot and either too wet or too dry - no in between. The buildings are air conditioned but the AC is bad and sometimes the air is too. There is water filtration but it's unreliable; drink at your own risk.
Everything costs DC. Treatment at the clinic, decent clothes, food, bribes, repairs. If you don't work you don't get any of it.
To fill the gap people do favors for each other; it's just assumed you'll help your neighbors and they'll hook you up or vice versa. Don't help and no one helps you.
To fill the gap people do favors for each other; it's just assumed you'll help your neighbors and they'll hook you up or vice versa. Don't help and no one helps you.
January 13, 2026 at 8:55 AM
Everything costs DC. Treatment at the clinic, decent clothes, food, bribes, repairs. If you don't work you don't get any of it.
To fill the gap people do favors for each other; it's just assumed you'll help your neighbors and they'll hook you up or vice versa. Don't help and no one helps you.
To fill the gap people do favors for each other; it's just assumed you'll help your neighbors and they'll hook you up or vice versa. Don't help and no one helps you.
Money: everyone gets UBI but it's only good at the few govt-registered business. Most people use Digital Currency only good in the Project itself. To earn DC you need to work and jobs aren't common. DC prices are usually inflated for various reasons.
January 13, 2026 at 8:53 AM
Money: everyone gets UBI but it's only good at the few govt-registered business. Most people use Digital Currency only good in the Project itself. To earn DC you need to work and jobs aren't common. DC prices are usually inflated for various reasons.
If the real cops show up things get bad. Most things are crimes and everyone is a criminal. Get caught and you wind up a slave in a farm or mine; resist and they just shoot you. Luckily the cops only come when they have to but they always come in force. They're not after someone running a food cart.
January 13, 2026 at 8:50 AM
If the real cops show up things get bad. Most things are crimes and everyone is a criminal. Get caught and you wind up a slave in a farm or mine; resist and they just shoot you. Luckily the cops only come when they have to but they always come in force. They're not after someone running a food cart.
Most floors have a neighborhood association to resolve disputes and pool resources and a neighborhood watch to watch for predators but many are corrupt and the watch usually turns into just another gang. Housing Blocks might have a building association too but its usually powerless.
January 13, 2026 at 8:48 AM
Most floors have a neighborhood association to resolve disputes and pool resources and a neighborhood watch to watch for predators but many are corrupt and the watch usually turns into just another gang. Housing Blocks might have a building association too but its usually powerless.
Law and order: those who have the guns make the law and they're usually gangs only interested in protecting their business - drugs, sex, gambling, smuggling. Some do keep general order - good for business - but most don't care. If you're lucky they don't actively prey on the people.
January 13, 2026 at 8:47 AM
Law and order: those who have the guns make the law and they're usually gangs only interested in protecting their business - drugs, sex, gambling, smuggling. Some do keep general order - good for business - but most don't care. If you're lucky they don't actively prey on the people.
The halls are crowded with little shacks made by "Rezless" kicked out of their homes. They can eat because they still have UBI and they can use public restrooms (if they work) to clean up but they otherwise have nothing and literally nowhere to go; leaving the Projects is a crime.
January 13, 2026 at 8:45 AM
The halls are crowded with little shacks made by "Rezless" kicked out of their homes. They can eat because they still have UBI and they can use public restrooms (if they work) to clean up but they otherwise have nothing and literally nowhere to go; leaving the Projects is a crime.
Worse, you might get kicked out of your apartment if someone with guns wants it. Maybe they want more space for themselves or to run a business. A dozen apartments at a time might be demolished for a drug lab or brothel. If you don't have family or they don't room you sleep in the halls.
January 13, 2026 at 8:43 AM
Worse, you might get kicked out of your apartment if someone with guns wants it. Maybe they want more space for themselves or to run a business. A dozen apartments at a time might be demolished for a drug lab or brothel. If you don't have family or they don't room you sleep in the halls.