Like Fire to Kindle

Getting Closer

Ophelia couldn't help but rub her eyes and then look down at the rows of numbers written in tiny, but neat handwriting. Her vision swam slightly as Elena chuckled at her side.

"This is really how much ye spend in a month?" Ophelia asked.

She had been working with Elena and Andrei in the main office for three days now, trying to learn more of the administrative side of the sanctuary, but it was proving daunting in a completely new way. While Ophelia picked up things quickly - just as quickly as she had when working out in the field - it was still a lot of things to remember.

Not to mention eye-opening. Merlin, where were they going to get all the funding to run Hebrides?

"As you can see, it differs month to month, depending on how many dragons we're taking care of and what sorts of injuries they have," Elena explained. "But yea, roughly that's how much."

"How on earth do ye pay for everythin'?" Ophelia asked, looking over to another book that contained all of the sanctuary's banking information.

She reached over and picked it up, dropping it down in front of her as she flipped through the information.

"We get funds from the Romanian government as well as the European Magical Union. And we generate some funds ourselves as well," Elena said. "Private donations. Many people wish to donate to save dragons, so, every year we do a big donation drive where we get most of our funding for the year. Some prefer one large lump-sum donation, while others sign up for a smaller amount that is deducted from their accounts every month."

"Hmm," Ophelia replied, looking over the books.

It was something to keep in mind. The team could potentially do a drive to raise some of the needed funds to renovate and open the reserve and then continue with a yearly event to help cover expenses from there out.

It wouldn't take her too long - hopefully - to work up the numbers. Or well, Ophelia didn't think it would. But at the same time, part of her grimaced at the idea of a fundraiser and asking people for money. Or putting on some fancy event. Perhaps she would get Daria to help. Being pureblood she was always going off to some charity event or another.

"Oh dear, you have that look in your eye," Elena said.

Ophelia looked over at her, eyes wide and cheeks slightly pink.

"What look?" she asked.

"The look that says you've just now realized how big a job this is and you're regretting it," Elena said with a chuckle.

"Oh, no. Absolutely no regrettin' anythin'," Ophelia said quickly. She glanced back down at the books. "It's just... a bit overwhelmin'. I knew it'd be a lot of work to get the sanctuary up and runnin'. Just... lettin' it settle in, I suppose."

"Well, it is possible," Elena said. "But you have to start small and build up."

She patted Ophelia's hand and then stood, walking over to a large map up on the wall. Ophelia stood and followed her.

"You see this?" Elena said as she pointed to a faint blue outline that marked off a smaller area. "This was our original boundaries when we started. All the land around us was privately owned. But year by year, we gained more dragons. And we bought more land. And slowly we grew into what we are today." Elena turned to Ophelia. "It seems like much, yes. But you cannot do it all overnight. Give it time. Take it step by step."

Ophelia looked up at the map, taking in the various markings and the large size of the reserve now compared to what it had been. Elena was right. There was no need to get ahead of herself. In fact, a five- or ten-year plan to gradually build up Hebrides might potentially go over better.