Yané

Biography

Early life

Suyan Higin's birth occurred by 44 BBY on Naboo, before the Invasion of Naboo. She worked as a seamstress, utilizing a loom to transform fabric and yarn into blankets. She sold her creations in a market and possessed the skill to dye her own yarn, embroider, and create fabrics that were both waterproof and fireproof. At one point, while Higin was crafting blankets for Theed Hospital, she was approached by Quarsh Panaka, the Head of Security for the recently elected Queen Padmé Amidala. After inquiring about her abilities, Panaka extended an invitation for her to join the queen's Naboo Royal Handmaidens. Higin, eager to contribute positively, accepted the offer to serve.

Upon meeting Queen Amidala and the other handmaidens, Higin quickly observed that one of Amidala's headpieces could be made lighter and more comfortable if crafted from Karlini silk. Changing her name to Yané, she took on the responsibility of communicating with the various palace staff. Over time, she compiled a medical profile of the queen. Yané and her fellow handmaiden Saché initially experienced an awkward relationship and were hesitant to share a bedroom, as they were attracted to each other but unaware that their feelings were mutual.

One night, Yané and the other handmaidens, along with Amidala, secretly left the palace to visit the Theed Odeon, where the band Neurotransmitter Affection was performing. Their purpose was to meet with Harli Jafan, the daughter of the planetary director of Jafan, who had been sent in his place as an ambassador for a summit hosted by Queen Amidala. While there, Jafan distributed glitter-lits to the handmaidens and the disguised Amidala. Eventually, Captain Panaka, having learned of their activities from Saché when her period triggered the blood-sensitive sensor in Amidala's bedroom, ordered their return to the palace.

Invasion of Naboo

During the Trade Federation's blockade and subsequent invasion of the planet, Yané and Saché remained behind while Queen Amidala and the other handmaidens escaped with the Jedi. Saché and Yané were captured and imprisoned in Camp Four. They began to collaborate with fellow prisoners Mariek Panaka, Sergeant Tonra, and several other guards. The two were assigned the task of finding a way to record the group's discoveries about their droid captors in order to devise an escape plan.

Yané quickly realized she could construct a makeshift loom using the frame of the cot she shared with Saché and the Karlini silk from their flame-colored robes. The shredded silk was used to weave codes that the Naboo would recognize but the droids would overlook. Despite the dire circumstances, the forced time together allowed Saché and Yané to confide in each other about their mutual feelings.

When Saché was arrested by battle droids for her walks around the camp, during which she delivered the codes Yané wove, Yané and the others could only listen as Saché screamed during her torture. The guards debated whether to attempt a rescue, both to spare Saché and to prevent their information gathering from being revealed. Yané instructed the royal guards to respect Saché's decision to endure the torture rather than break. After Saché was released, Yané assisted in tending to her wounds.

Life after being a handmaiden

Yané's service as a handmaiden concluded when Padmé Amidala's term as queen ended. She and Saché made plans to share a home and intended to wait until Saché completed her first term in the planetary legislative assembly before purchasing a house. Yané, who had often volunteered to help Naboo's orphans, children displaced during the Occupation, dreamed of fostering many children. When the handmaidens shared their future plans with Amidala, Yané confessed that she had already found a large house that she hoped to buy, even though it was not on the timeline she and Saché had planned. After sharing a hologram with the group, Saché told her it was wonderful. Mariek Panaka had cousins living near the house, and she volunteered them to help Yané with getting the house furnished before the couple moved in.

Sometime after Padmé began her work as a Republic senator, Yané began fostering a set of twins. On an evening when Saché had planned to host a dinner party for Amidala and their former handmaidens, Yané had to cancel due to the twins falling ill. Although Saché was disappointed that Yané could not attend, she expressed to Amidala how proud she was of Yané.

Around 24 BBY, Yané and Saché were married. Following Naboo tradition, Yané's garments incorporated her wedding fabric; her design also included Saché's fabric. Their outfits mirrored each other's and reflected their own personal tastes, with a skirt for Yané and wide-legged trousers for Saché.

In 22 BBY, after a mudslide in the eastern regions of Naboo's secondary continent destroyed an entire village, Yané opened her and Saché's home to the eight surviving children. Four days later, four of the children had been taken in by other family members, while the remaining four, all cousins, remained in Yané's care.

That night, while Saché was at a meeting with the Naboo planetary legislative assembly and the four children slept in the couple's bed, Yané received a call from Amidala seeking advice on how to use her wedding fabric. Yané advised her to use it in her veil before deciding to make Amidala's wedding dress for her. Yané later told her wife about it, who passed on her congratulations to Amidala.

Personality and traits

Yané possessed brown hair, brown eyes, and light skin. As a weaver, she favored using a manual loom over a machine, allowing her to pay close attention and maintain greater control. Yané had a deep affection for children and fostered many, including a set of twins and the eight survivors of the mudslide disaster. Yané was also intelligent and resourceful, utilizing the limited resources available in Camp Four to deliver messages.

Behind the scenes

The role of Yané was portrayed by Candice Orwell in Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace. The character's name is listed in the film's end credits.