It wasn't just Animalians who were enjoying the Lunar New Year Festival. Actually, it was pretty hard for anyone to not enjoy it. The festive Asian spirit was very infectious. Everyone was having a good time. Even though 2017 has started a while ago, there were plenty of people making plans on what to do for the new year.
Martin and Josephine Brown were walking around the festival. It was amazing the huge amount of progress that Animalia has made over the months and it wasn't even a full year yet. When they had agreed to take part of that government project, they had no idea anything like this could happen. But then, how could they? They were told that the virus would only be a supplement to the animals, making them healthier, fitter, and more nutritious to eat. It was supposed to be the start of a healthier society. Well, it certainly was, but in a way no one expected.
"Hard to believe most of them used to be simple animals before," said Josephine, looking at some uplifted monkeys performing acrobatics. Apparently it was symbolic of the Year of the Monkey ending.
"And plenty more used to be human," said Martin. As many have noted, it was both ironic and appropriate that Animalia had started halfway through the Year of the Monkey. There were many people looking to 'jump ship' and join Animalia, especially since the virus was revealed to be a panacea for all bodily ailments. Not many people decided to become primates for Animalia. Perhaps the Planet of the Apes remakes made people a little leery about uplifted apes. But there were at least some Asians who had recently immigrated who understood and respected the versatility and agility of the monkeys.
"Are you feeling alright?" asked Josephine, noticing her husband's expression.
"I'm fine, well mostly," said Martin, "My joints are acting up a little, too much walking."
"You've been working so hard," said Josephine, "You've earned some time off."
"I work my hardest each day but they can do all my work without breaking a sweat," said Martin bitterly.
"That's not true," said Josephine, "They sweat and toil as much as you do."
"But they can do so much more than I can. I can't even keep up with my own daughter anymore," said Martin before sighing, "I'm feeling older than I should be."
"You're thinking about converting, aren't you?" asked Josephine.
"It's been crossing my mind more often," said Martin, "We're the only humans on our farm, the only humans that are on the Animalian council. Even our daughter isn't human and she's not going to change back. It makes me think: what are we holding out for?"
"It's a bigger decision to make than just out of peer pressure," said Josephine, "We're talking about irrevocably changing our species. I know it's worked out for a lot of people but is it really for us?"
"Look around you," said Martin, "Animalians are becoming the new norm. People are coming from all over the country just to join. Soon it'll be other countries. And here we are, trying cling to a time that's already slipping away. I know we were planning on explaining to our future grandchildren why we're human when they're not, that we'll show them pictures of their parents before the outbreak. But staying human has been making less sense with each advancement."
"So your mind is made up?" asked Josephine.
"Only if you agree with me," said Martin, "I know Julia has come to accept herself, but I know she wasn't comfortable with the change at first. She did it mostly for her husband and daughter, even if she is happy now. I'm not going to force you to go along with it."
Josephine was quiet for a while before saying, "Ok, I'll do it on one condition: Abigail isn't the one to convert us. I'm not going to feed from my own daughter's breast to become a horse."
"That shouldn't be a problem," said Martin, "There's more than enough horses in Animalia to choose someone else."
"We...probably shouldn't let Abigail know just yet. We're already on the edge. I don't want her talking us out of it and make us delay for more pointless reasons," said Josephine.
"I understand that," said Martin, "I was thinking the same way. Well, we might as well fill up at the buffet. It'll be our last chance to enjoy meat."
"Not too much. I don't want to lose my figure," said Josephine.
Martin just lifted an eyebrow before they both laughed. They then headed for the buffet. Changes were coming in the new year and it was time to accept that.