Nearly three leagues from the heart of the kingdom with its city, lies a very large orchard at the crossroads of ten other principalities. This land, planted with fruit trees and native plants, belongs to no one at all. Residing here is something of a privilege, although very few citizens choose to live here, which is a little too secluded from all the services a city has to offer.

Among the few who have made the very personal choice to live in the orchard is Anakin, who works in supplies for His Majesty Scotty's little kingdom. With very quick steps, he takes two hours to reach the city, although three hours is usually required as the transport of goods slows him down.

Today, Anakin isn't working. Off for the day, he's sitting on a tree trunk that's washed up on the ground, watching the sunset. Anakin is not contemplative by nature. However, a very subtle sensation of happiness runs through the peripheral zone of his coccys, or rather the whole area below his navel, where his posterior is at the very least. Anakin knows how to recognize this little moment of happiness. It's a pleasant sensation that seizes him from time to time, and every time that little vibration occurs around his perineum, Anakin feels he knows who he is. Yes, he has the feeling that he's part of a whole, and that this vegetable garden is part of him. Suddenly, he feels an urgent need to defecate. Every time, the same thing happens. Anakin has to find a little natural spot to relieve himself. This is always the best moment.

Having completed his little need with flying colors, Anakin returns to sit on the same trunk. He doesn't particularly like sunsets, but this evening is different. The whole sky is red. Anakin is suddenly gripped by another vibration, that of being in action. He feels the will to make an effort and use his body. He looks around and sees the tiny house he loves more than anything else in the world. He recalls an impromptu visit by His Excellency d'Alba through the orchard, who caught sight of his home. "You must have been touched by the grace of a blessed man to live in such a charming thatched cottage," said His Grandissime. "I envy you." Anakin recognizes the condescension of the better-off. Those who claim that the stripped life of the little people or the forced simplicity of resources could only bring more freedom. Anakin doesn't believe it. Nevertheless, looking at his house, he knows that all his actions have meaning. He himself has built not only his little estate, but also his life in this orchard. All that surrounds it is a home. As he takes the time to contemplate this fiery sky, something he does all too rarely, he still feels that strange sensation of happiness that at first came from his perineum and gradually rises to his chest and spreads to every limb of his body. It's like a slight chill running down his back.

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Anakin stops looking at the sky and fixes his gaze on the tree in front of him. This mighty tree brings back memories. He grew up in the city, and his parents took him to this orchard when he was just 8 years old the first time. He remembers the tree in front of him. This orchard is gigantic, spanning many seigneuries and principalities; this small piece of land was chosen for this single tree. From the age of 25, Anakin took up residence here with the approval of the kingdom's administration now belonging to His Majesty Scotty. The tree is splendid. Its roots run deep because no wind has ever been able to dislodge it. It's as if the tree is also aware of who it is and why it's here in this very spot.

Anakin knows he's making it up. But now there's this little wind rising. He feels this breath that is part of him and part of nature. He takes a deep breath through his nose; he knows it gives him a great source of comfort every time; he feels nourished by everything around him; that he feeds on the same elements as the tree; that the energy of the sun and the feel of the ground project both him and the tree towards a common sense of their existence.

But Anakin thought he was exaggerating a little and that his thoughts were going too far. Hadn't he just felt the need to be in action, to do something with his body? He gets up and decides to repair his cabin. Tomorrow is another day, and he makes a point of not thinking about it.