During the experiments and tests with the Animalia virus, the government wanted to know more about the development of the culture of Animalia, and who better to ask about it than Clara and Robby, whom had been shaping it so far.
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"How will you be able to teach new, uplifted creatures in both these so-called "Edicts of Animalia" and how to behave acceptably in human society?" Asked one government official.
"The scientists we were working with during the study of the virus capabilities.are working on an education program that teaches both the Edicts, and what is and isn't acceptable public behavior." Said Clara informatively.
"We've also noticed that there seems to be a lot of interspecies casual sexual liaisons. Can you explain that?" Asked another official.
"The edicts only forbid interspecies breeding during the annual mating season." Said Robby, "Otherwise, we can't conceive during any other time, so those 'liaisons' are solely for pleasure, not breeding."
"We also noticed that the virus doesn't change those who already have the virus in them, so sex doesn't result in a species change." Replied Clara as Robby paused for breath.
"Where will you all be living, and how will you build shelters?" Asks the first official.
"First: we will be living in and around the river where the virus first entered the ecosystem. We are planning to both cultivate crops and fish the river. We also have learned about Agriculture from Abby's family." Said Clara.
"Second: During the study of the virus, we discovered a family of uplifted beavers. We have created a special education program for them that teaches both construction and architecture. They have built for us what can roughly be called "log cabins". In actuality, they have two stories and multiple rooms. They will be quite warm in cold weather while remaining relatively cool in warmer weather." Informed Robby.
"We have also noticed that are a large number of carnivores among your numbers. How will you provide for them?" Asked a third official.
"Our exports will primarily be fruit and vegetables we grow, as well as artworks we ourselves craft." Said Clara, "For example, a clan of otters have became skilled at woodcarving and weaving. Both of reeds found along the riverbank and of the wool we shear from our uplifted sheep, goat, and other wool bearing brethren that might show up. The beaver families, on the other hand, will work on constructing and carving furniture, when they are not working on new houses. The uplifted bears will be working on beekeeping, both for the honey and for the wax for their art projects." Said Clara.
"We will also be importing sold for underclothes that help prevent the chafing that results from wearing human clothing, so you don't have to worry about problems with nudity, as we've seen during the study." Said Robby, forestalling what would be the next question.
"We also noticed a number of uplifted animals that appear to be young children to young teens? How will you be dealing with that?" Asked a fourth official.
"As par of an outreach program," said Clara, taking a deep breath, "They will be attending human schools in accordance to their age and intellectual capabilities, as long as they go out of their way to both not spread the virus, and not worsen relationships between humans and uplifted kin. The same goes for the human children."
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And so forth and so on. What both they and the government didn't know was that the unattached virus, while purged from the wilderness water, was still making its way through the water purification system, which weakened it enough to not affect humans at all, but would still affect animals. The first domestic animals to drink it would be...