It had a simple origin, a small beginning; forming lasting ties between mates, allowing for the coming of foals.

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The Phoenix Gate was, at first, no more or less than a gateway for Caelum and his mate, Tundra. Eventually all ties save for that, the bonds of Circle, were broken; both were abandoned, as well as their grown foals.

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Time passed, and through this remaining link they discovered one another again; or at least, became aware of what had once been. Caelum still felt cut adrift even after rebonding; until he found his son, Coal, once again. Rediscovering these ties that had lasted through the turmoil in his life, he again felt anchored to reality.

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As he came to full awareness, he found himself spending more and more time with two of his bondmates, stallions who had also had trouble taking root in their new life. BlackIce, a stallion that had been abandoned so young that he'd not yet had a name, was essentially shutting down once his life eased from the "adventure" of struggling daily to survive, as he'd viewed it while still young. Thyme, a gentle soul by nature, secluded himself in his lush forests, burrowing deep into soft tranquility. All three had, originally, stalled out.

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Over time, as Caelum returned to himself upon finding his son, the others also began to honestly life again. BlackIce adjusted to life being a "new sort of adventure," and Thyme learned to find peace in the love of bondmates. As they looked around and noticed one another it came to light that all three of them were most comfortable in the presence of one another.

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Caelum greatly enjoyed Thyme's quiet, soft-spoken nature, finding his own measure of peace in one who was so gentle. Being both a father and having gone on his share of adventures, he easily related to the aged mentality of BlackIce and eagerly traded stories regarding the olden days. BlackIce, meanwhile, enjoyed speaking with Caelum, the only other mind as weathered as his own. It was Thyme who helped him to appreciate quiet and relaxation as they were Thyme’s methods of pulling in on himself and, for a while, required. And Thyme found his own level of peace in these weathered souls who proved to be gentle-natured enough to put him at ease while coaxing him into living a bit more fully. And each, through their love of Caelum, came to love Tundra as being important to him.

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And so, the simple forming of a Circle for a mate bond evolved into the simple preservation of those ties which brought the most peace. Caelum has a deep appreciation for the importance of his Circle - and a deep appreciation for these stallions that have done the most to put him at ease. It’s their wish to hold onto this at all costs; a combined force of gentleness that can outlast all of life’s troubles.

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Together, they stand as the gateway between the tranquil streams and the fires of life.