#handmaiden verse

[alexversenaberrie]

Versé ~ handmaiden-slicer of Senator Amidala

Versé, formerly known as Versaat, was the niece of Mariek Panaka, a captain in the Royal Naboo Security Forces and the wife of Captain Quarsh Panaka. Versé was recommended by Panaka to join Senator Padmé Amidala's new cohort of Handmaidens. She was a top-notch slicer and used her talents in Amidala's service in more ways than one.

Versé and her fellow handmaiden Cordé were killed when the ship they had traveled to the planet Coruscant on was destroyed by the bounty hunter Zam Wesell in an attempt to kill Amidala and prevent her from voting against the Military Creation Act.

#star wars paintings  |  SW Paintings

Handmaidens: Yané I Sabé | Eirtaé | Motté | Ellé

[quccninchains]

| @twogoldenchains sent: ❛ i don’t think i’ve ever seen you smile. ❜

{☾} Her eyes glance up from the embroidery in her lap, the small smile on her face dying. A warmth spreads along her cheeks, nose wrinkling softly--almost embarrassed that she had been caught daydreaming. "I haven't had much to smile about in the past few days, I'm afraid, Shae," she hums softly, brown eyes flickering over her maid, back to the work at hand.

Darning her husband's shirts while the fire snapped and crackled. Tyrion would be in the council for hours, she assumed--they had all heard how RAUCOUS and obnoxious King Joffrey seemed. It made her stomach turn--the cruelty of the King and his mother. And they had her cousin in their grasps.

She lets the silence hang between them for a few moments before she gestures for her lady to join her in the chair across from her. Shae was perfectly cordial, kind--and yet, the woman had featured in more of her anxious nightmares than she would like to admit. Any fool would have had to be blind not to notice the almost...TERRITORIAL way Shae was around her husband. It had made Alicent uncomfortable. Like she was a ghost. A consolation prize.

It had bothered her so much that she had approached Tyrion the night before and asked him: what was Shae to him? What was her place now?

...did he prefer her to his wife?

She had been pleased by his honesty--even if he had seemed just as uncomfortable as she was. Even more so, she was pleased that he loved her. Just as she had grown to love him.

Alicent returned her eyes back to her work, humming softly. "...Is it hard? Pining for a lost love?" She asks thoughtfully, sincerely. If Shae wanted an excuse to leave, an excuse to free herself from serving the woman who supplanted her...she would offer it. "I've never been in love before now. My father...well, Lady Olenna, arranged this marriage for me. I...the closest thing I had known was the love from my books."

[politicalprocrastinator]

since a lot of padme's handmaidens are no longer working actors (or just randomly played by Sofia fucking Coppola an insane detail) I've been hcing more active actors in my head and honestly I think this lineup is pretty solid

obviously sabe remains Keira knightly. I need to see her in a queer role and book!sabe is a tragic lesbian icon 10/10

for eirtae who looks the least like padme i HC rose ayling-ellis as young eirtae and Marlee maitlin for when she's older. both are deaf actors so there's an opportunity for more representation there. however I am aware that ayling-ellis uses bsl while maitlin uses asl. I think in universe this could be portrayed as there being a difference between sign language on naboo and coruscant and it's a good opportunity to inform viewers that not all sign languages are the same

sache (who was played by Sofia Coppola goddamn) is described in the books as having been left the most hurt/scarred from the battle of naboo so I'd also go with a disabled actor for her. personally I think Kiera Allen for young sache and Ruth madeley for older sache

in the og movies rabe was portrayed by a Brazilian actress so I think it's right to keep her a woman of colour. I think Madeleine madden would be great for that role not least cos in the deleted attack of the clones scenes all padme's family have Australian accents so it's probably safe to say the nabooian accent sounds more Australian than the coruscanti accent which probably sounds a lot closer to Nat portman's new York accent

ek Johnston who wrote the queen's trilogy about padme said she considered making verse trans which I think is a great idea even if she didn't end up including it in the books. therefore I think hari nef of and just like that and Barbie fame would suit the role well, especially cos she's also Jewish like nat portman

I don't really have opinions on the other handmaidens cos I haven't even finished the book yet but I think they're a really good vehicle to add more diversity into the series and metaphorically they work well for feminist discussions of star wars as you can play with the theme that all these women who may look quite similar actually have strikingly different experiences

[akumanoken]

When you're too human and headstrong for your position but also you wear it like a fucking crown on your head because you don't take shit from anyone...

[mxnofhonour]

@pyrinas (as discussed)

The golden hand feels like a shackle upon the lion. Placed upon him by Cersei. She had told him it was a gift, but it is little more than a mockery, serving as a reminder to all that he is a cripple. She has treated him as such ever since the moment he returned to her. And now, she has shunned him in a way that she never has before. She has rejected him.

He had stalked from the hall soon after she had told him she would not be seen dancing with a one-handed knight, knowing he would likely kill the next man she spoke to if he remained. He’s uncertain where he is going, but he knows he cannot stay there.

As he rounds a darkened corner, he comes upon a figure standing beside an open window, seemingly gazing out across the city as the sun sets. He nears her, and his eyes fall upon the cane the woman leans upon.

Lady Iren.

She has been within Cersei’s flock of handmaidens for as long as Jaime can recall, but he knows she is the most favoured. And, as she had grown to womanhood, she had caught Jaime’s eye on more occasions than he would ever dare to admit.

But things had seemingly shifted in the moons past. More glances had been shared between the two, with the occasional gentle smile when Cersei was not looking. Jaime found himself falling to sleep most nights thinking of the bronzite hue of her eyes.

At one time, he might have felt shame in looking at another woman, but not now. Not when Cersei had rejected him so harshly.

“My lady,” he says gently as he moves beside her. She is dressed in an elegant gown tonight, a world apart from the usual plain garb she wears when she is with Cersei. “If you’ll allow me to speak freely…that gown is most becoming of you.”

[wornkindnessa]

as much as i would like for it to be otherwise, and this is just mostly my own thoughts and like gut feeling but i don't think amelia and padme's handmaidens are ever really friends. i can't speak for all of them but over all outside of being polite, they would probably prefer to have nothing to do with her.

[usyrps]

THE FACE OF NOON IS ONE BEAMING, MADE ALL THE BRIGHTER WITH THE BIRDSONG WHICH SEEMS TO HIM INCESSANT. the sun, turned traitor, mocks him with its bright beams, streaming through the keep in ambush of his aching head, thrumming still with the weight of the evening's wine. whatever humming slips past the lady christine's lips is surely a lovely lull. a shame he cannot appreciate it in his state of mind, as he lifts his gaze toward her with no small effort, ❛ dragons sing, too. did you know? their songs are oft not as pleasant as yours, i'll admit. ❜ the prince scoffs a laugh, which deteriorates into a groan, his brows pinched in a displeasure soon concealed 'neath the shade of a hand thrown over his forehead, with theatrics lending themselves to his daze, ❛ all the same, i should prefer a bout of some... silent ballad now, my lady, if you please. ❜

AN AUDIENCE, @scandinave.

[b-lysia]

ranting about anti-feminists (ter fs)

I'm not sure how, or why, but I occasionally forget that at least 30-50% of tumblr is just the equivalent of 4chan users in left wing aesthetic cosplay.

Loser incels/femcels , f.a.r.t.s who refuse to attempt self actualization, and are more interested in contextualizing the injustices of the world as if they're cosmically fundamental and unchangeable, because their identity as "the underdog" would go away if we ever managed to actually make the world better, and then they would have to figure out how to be a person.

Idiots full of spite, with no intention of spending it productively\

Willful, cruel, petty little fools, full of rage, who are hell bent on hoarding it like a dragon. Who will burn and raze cities, steal from and strike down their fellows who are victim to the same plight as theirs, because that will better facilitate the sweltering growth of their hoard.

Because striking out at the dark would end their suffering, and the comfort of their scales and the cave are too great to return to the vulnerability of flesh. Much less fight so no one else need don scales and fiery breath.

[quirkthieves]

@f4mily from here

Lacramioara, much unlike his companion, upon noticing the dishes, begins to absentmindedly stack and clear them out of what may be habit, some instinctual need to be mannerly, or both.

In response to Dee's smile, she beams back, revealing a pair of large, slightly curved canines. Dee may not bite, but he certainly does.

"I was just curious." Nervousness wasn't in Lacramioara's nature, typically, but there was something both admirable and deeply familiar about the laissez-faire confidence with which this woman held herself, enough to leave him slightly unsure if she was even allowed to speak to her.

"I brought gifts, as is polite." The dishes are neatly stacked and placed on the counter, and he looks around for a rag to begin wiping tables. "But it would be no good if you disliked them, right?"

[mayxthexforce]

[alexversenaberrie]

Versé joined Senator Padmé Amidala's new cohort of Handmaidens. She was a top-notch slicer and used her talents in Amidala's service in more ways than one.

She served her lady till her death, when Padme's ship was assassinated by Zam Wesell.

@distantstarssw #star wars paintings  |  SW Paintings

[celestialcrcwn]

bonnie and brittneys main verse ( their princess diaries verse ) will have two parts. a past in which takes place during their high school years and they’re transitioning into the royal life, then there will be their present when they’re graduated, older and simply trying to find that balance. 

[royaldreamweaver]

@soulst1c3  And so it begins...the verse of the tag.  ^_^

Shutara sits at her post, world weary.  She’s never found the one who’s been meant to be tied to her, but she comes anyway, every year, at the solstice, to stay until the first of the year.  The pilgrims come with those with hopeless causes.  In her light, they liven for families who wish to send them off with a final set of good memories, one last stretch of stasis as a living thing before they leave.  

She’s felt the tie many times in her life, like one who blinked in and out of existence.  It almost felt like he or she was a figment of her imagination.  As much as she’d have loved to grant the wishes of so many, Shutara wants her wishes granted as well.

It’s chilly that night, and its not lost on her how she bears the crown of the sun.  

A family comes in, tired and haggard, young boy in arms, weak, tired.  She greets them at the door to the shrine.  She’s seen many today, all ages, genders, races, but this one strikes her as peculiar.  Reaching out, she takes him into her own arms, and suddenly she understands.  It’s like a thunderclap.  Painted eyes open wide as soft green ones do as well, but in comfort, rather than shock.

He’s breathtaking.  So much wisdom in the young and earnest face. She looks at the family that brought him here, knowing what they likely assumed they’d be told.  

“What is your name, young one?” she asks as she sets him down.  

He’s strong, steady on his feet, much stronger than she can make most people.  He is equally as vital as her.  He clings to life, preserving, supporting.  

She understands everything now.

“How long have you waited. No…how many lives?”  Shutara knows he’s of the age that he’s still lucid of these things.  It will be lost soon though.  Everyone grows.  “Can you remember?” she asks.

She looks over the family who brought him, but she needs his words first.  After all with a contract like this one—there is much to know.

[alintalzin]

Neat.

Nâdune: The Handmaidens

The word for handmaiden in Nabooro is nâdune, and is rooted in the same word as “warrior” (tonde), as handmaidens are meant to not only accompany queens (or princesses, when Naboo was not yet an elected monarchy) and offer them companionship, but also guard and protect them when necessary.

Traditionally, handmaidens were older than the princess, but as the tradition of enshué ‘n canâk (masks and disguises), developed out of the older traditions of facepaint and veiling, handmaidens slowly became the same age as the princess or royal they were protecting in order to disguise themselves as her better.

The handmaid who closest resembles the one they protect (or, if several of them look similar, the title is afforded to a handmaid who has been injured in her duty towards her princess) is known as the shâm nâdun, and is the highest ranking of the nâdune, though that rank is more a formality than anything else in the present day.

The parallel figure to this for young princes is a cânsag. Cânsag have similar functions to nâdune, in that they are usually of an age with the prince or young royal or noble they protect so they can disguise themselves as each other in situations where it is necessary, though the forms their enshué take are different.

Regarding Padmé’s nâdune:

Sabé / Tsabin means “herald of new life/growth”, translating literally as “mouth of the seed.”

Eirtaé / Eirtama means “poetic.”

Ballory (Balori) is a vocational family name for those who were once royal or religious warriors, translating literally to “warriors of the Six.” (More on “the Six” soon!)

Rabé / Rabene means “daughter of spring”.

Tonsort is also a once-vocational name for religious warriors, translating to “blessed warrior.”

Saché / Sashah is a name with many meanings, generally understood as meaning “deeper than meets the eye”, though can also be understood as ‘mysterious,’ or ‘one who is less than trustworthy’ - translating literally as “to question what you see.”

Adova is a regional name for those from the Western continent.

While Sabé and Cordé are the nâdune who most resemble Padmé, Saché was given the title of shâm nâdun after the Invasion of Naboo.

Yané / Suyan means “diamond, gem,” though Yané specifically is also a name in itself that means “life, greenery.”

Higin is a historical vocational name for higher ranking tailors on Naboo, i.e. tailor.

Cordé / Cordyn is a traditional name meaning “protector of the past.”

Dormé / Dorra means “cold,” and is one of several traditional winter names for children.

Versé / Versaat means “blessed,” or, more literally, “daughter of the Six.”

Moteé is more of a metaphoric name/phrase that is best translated as “to bloom,” though it translates literally as “to grow wings,” kind of in the sense of… to come into your own?

As Moteé doesn’t have a canon ‘original’ name i.e. before-she-was-a-handmaiden name, I came up with my own: Motil.

Most of these handmaiden names are actual names, though not all of them are particularly common ones (Yané is the one that is most commonly in use in the present day). The -é form is a presently somewhat old-fashioned way of constructing names used in previous centuries by royalty—so, these names do mostly maintain their actual meaning, because the root for most of their names is the same.

* I do eventually intend to come up with more last names and assign them some, but that’s… not a priority for me right now.

[gatorlovebot]

king simon masterlist

imagine being simon’s personally appointed handmaiden. a very uncommon practice for a king, but he was also unwed, uncommon for a king of his status and age. all parts of the series in chronological order, updated 8/3/24

a very gruff man with a hard exterior

simon liked it just being the two of you in most moments

you had accompanied simon far, far outside of the kingdom

you weren’t expecting to have a good morning when you made your way up to simon’s chambers

you had left the room for only a moment

it had been three days since simon had been stabbed

in the days following simon’s failed assissination

you had gone to sleep in your our own bed for the first time in weeks

simon was never really one to listen to his court

you needed an escape

the days following your dispute with simon

the travel was long

it seemed as if your little walk through the park

•your plan was impulsive

stand alone fics set in the verse but not anywhere specific in the plot

in your months of serving under the king you had few complaints.

[bookmaker-untaken]

you're ugly, you're disgusting - give me 200 horses

Suo Hayato x Reader // Mythology AU

Summary: To marry you, a suitor must beat you in hand-to-hand combat. Or do whatever the fuck Suo did instead.

Warnings: Canon Typical Violence, OOC!Suo, Probably (Look, I Tried), Misogyny

Word Count: 1, 953

i. 

Contrary to popular belief whispered throughout the steppe, you do not hate men.

But, by god, are they a stupid bunch.

There is this story your Father liked to tell after a few drinks, of you, as a toddler, gripping a snake by the throat and happily slamming him into the ground, repeatedly.

So why are men always surprised when they end up in the same spot?

Your most recent challenger groans from the ground, dust settling around him. 

"Three...two...one!"

The fight master holds up your hand once more and you grin. 

Behind you, there is familiar laughter and clapping, your Father waving you back to the cushioned seat near him. 

"That's my daughter! A force to be reckoned with!" 

He claps a hand on your back and shakes you a little and you smirk.

The man with the eyepatch and expensive clothes lowers his cup of honey wine, a tranquil smile adoring his features. "Your fighting technique is quite impressive."

You look over at him, up then down. His robes make it hard to tell what kind of stature he has, hard to tell what kind of fighter he might be. 

"Most men still challenge me afterwards. I hardly receive compliments."

"Fight you?" He laughs, and the small jewel attached to the eyepatch quivers. "I would most certainly lose."

You give him a look out of the side of your face. Somehow, you know he's bluffing. He might put up a good fight at the very least, and that in itself would be a miracle. 

"You are wise, Suo! My daughter is well versed in combat!" 

You watch this Suo for his reaction. He shows you nothing, taking another sip of wine.

"You see, my daughter has one rule for suitors! They must beat her in hand-to-hand combat!"

"Oh?" He says, sounding genuinely interested. This, too, is rare.  "And what happens when they lose, as that man did?"

"They owe me a horse." You say, chin raised, daring him to speak ill of your methods as many often do.

"Huh." He says. "How many horses do you have?" 

"1,000." You say, smirk curving on the corner of your lips.

"Wow," He says, sounding genuinely impressed. "That is quite amazing!" 

"And a hassle! We hardly have room for them all," Your Father laughs.

 

ii.

The arrow sings through the breeze, hitting its perfect mark.

You're almost boring to watch with your accuracy and skill. 

The Merchant speaks to your Father under a richly colored tarp.

"You must forgive my daughter," You hear when you go to pick up more arrows. "She worries for me." 

"It's cute," Suo replies. 

Your face wrinkles in confusion and he laughs. 

"Don't let my daughter hear you say that," Your Father leans over, whispering conspiratorially. "She might bite your head off." 

"Right," You say loudly, another arrow piercing the bullseye. "Like that would be the optimal way of killing someone."

The smile on Suo's face remains, despite your dark joke.

iii.

The other girl scoffs and storms away, leaving your handmaiden and best friend Líu.

"What happened?"

Liú gives you a one armed shrug, putting another cloth into the basket at her hip. "Well, I told her I had my first time with my husband the other day,"

Your eyes widen. “How … how was it?”

“Somewhat underwhelming,”  Líu admits. “I think she was expecting more of a story?"                                                                                                              

You had the heard stories girls gossiped in the night. Sometimes horrifying, sometimes filthy, seldom in between.You supposed you had been wondering, even if you never asked.

"Don't get me wrong, I love my husband but ... it was just fine."

"'Just fine', huh.” You laugh, eyes crinkling. “So I suppose there really is no reason to stop throwing them into the dirt, then?”

Liú laughs. "I suppose not. But getting married wouldn't be the end of the world, either. Whichever you choose, I know it'll be true to you.”

"You have a lot of faith in me.” You say, puffing your chest.

“Of course!” 

iv.

Another day, another victory. 

The man hits the dust and you're already turning around to walk away, not seeing him scramble to grab a saucer from a plate and fling it at you.

But you do see the hand cast out before you, blocking your vision.

"Come now," Says Suo, smile taking an odd sort of edge. "There's no need to be a sore loser!" 

"You have good reflexes, Merchant," You say.

"Thank you!" Suo drops the saucer into your outstretched hand. 

"Though, you absolutely stole my thunder." 

"Sorry," He says, scratching his cheek. "My hand moved on my own."

"You're going to have to make it up to me," You say, still smirking. "Tomorrow. Archery grounds." 

v.

Suo is just as much of a challenge as you had predicted. 

You often tie. 

You await his return to visit your Father and give him a new challenge each time.

He's fantastic with a polearm, but often lets go of the arrow too early.

Your horses adore him, even the most stubborn old girls allowing him to feed them carrots. 

He tells you stories of his travels, and in exchange you regale him with your exploits.

vi.

"Your next challenger..." Your Mother says. "He's a good man."

"They often are?" You say with a quirk of the brow. You feel the trap closing in on you, even if you do not know what it is for. 

She sighs, seeing that such a method would not work on you. "I want you to throw the match."

"What?!"

You look to your Father, who says nothing. 

Your Mother continues. "He comes from a good family and - "

"What of our honor!" 

"This is honorable!"

You look again to your Father, who simply shrugs. "It is your decision in the end. I trust our judgment." 

You stand in front of the man considering the conversation from earlier.

“100 Horses.” He is saying. “I bet I could beat you.”

“The men before you said the same.”

He spits. “The men before me were nothing.”

You do not throw the match. 

vii.

On a later visit, you and Suo are returning from a hunt, when you tell that story.

You wait for his reply.

"Hm. Good."

You're surprised. 

"Hmm?”

"I just thought you would have taken more of a ... business minded approach?" 

"I think it was merciful," He said. "Any fighter worth their salt would have been able to tell if you threw a fight."

"Have you ever thrown a fight?" You ask. "Is that how you lost your eye?"

"Nothing nearly as interesting as that," He says smoothly. 

"Aww," You smirk.

"Is there an interesting reason you started fighting your suitors?"

"Because I have to," You say automatically, then seal your lips. It dawns on you that nobody has asked you that question before. "Well..."

You look up into the sky as you think. He doesn't need an answer, you know. And he doesn't deserve an explanation. But you've already started thinking. On one hand, it's instinctual - you cannot help but not go down easily. 

"My grandmother ... was taken from her home by a foreign prince, my grandfather. And on her deathbed, she longed for it."

Suo is silent, waiting. He watches you intently. 

"She made me promise as a little girl for that never to be my fate. To never let any man possess me. "

Suo looks at you for a long time. "I cannot claim to completely understand, but I do empathize." 

You make a sound in response.

“Though. It is a lot of weight to put on a child.” 

viii.

"So," Liú says. "Is there something going on with you and that Merchant?" 

You stop cleaning your sword for a second to look up at her, "You mean something other than friendly competition?"

"There are rumors,"

"You know how I feel about rumors." 

"I do!” She say, plopping down next to you. “Which is why I came to you instead,"

"Suo is great competition. More than the likes I've ever seen before."

"And that's it?" 

You pause. "Should there be more?"

"No," Liu says with a loose shrug. "There doesn't have to be." 

ix.

It's a sharp second, like a pinprick - attacks you suddenly like a bird of prey..

The sunlight hits Suo's hair just right and it's like it glows. 

A terror grips you by the back of the neck. 

You shove the feeling away and decide to deal with it another time. 

x.

And then the rumors start. 

The rumors that the reason your so object to marriage is that you are in a secret relationship with your Father.

You balk. It's ridiculous! Why would anybody believe such a thing! 

Your surprised when your Father calls you to his tent, full of onlookers.

"You must get married." 

You laugh. "You're going to let some silly rumor decide for you!? You might as well let it run your court as well!"

"No," He says. "I've let this charade go on for far too long. It's not fit for a young woman to remain unmarried like this."

"You're joking."

His face is unmoving. You realize he is not relenting. 

"Father. Father! You can't just offer my hand to some stranger! ... Please!"

He closes his eyes. "One year. You have one year to choose."

xi.

When Suo returns, he cannot find you. 

"She rides every day," Your Father tells him. "From dawn till dusk." 

When you return, you give him a smirk that doesn't meet your eyes. 

"What happened?"

You start to tell him, the emotions swimming in your eyes, but instead say, "Ride with me."

The moon illuminates your shadows.

You approach a shimmering lake, looking at its surface. "My father wishes for me to get married."

"Ah." 

"I -" You are crying. The tears that squeeze out of your eyes are of desperation. "I know of none who would wish to marry me of their own accord, so I am to be promised to a stranger."

Suo is silent.

"I have fought my whole life for my freedom and now I will be remembered for my failure!"

"You didn't fail." 

You look at him, crystalline tears still falling.

"You never lost." 

"But I did!" You say. "Because I fell for somebody!"

"Falling in love is not losing," He says. "And knowing you, knowing the decisions you make - the person you fell for would probably never have you give up on yourself. If they do, it isn't love."

"You don't understand!” You snap, fists forming at your side.”I do not know if I'll ever be able to love them like anyone else! I respect them! But what if it is not love? What if it is all I am capable of? You do not wish a life with me!"

"That is not for you to decide," Suo says, then after a moment, “Fight me.”

“What?”

“A King once told me that fighting is a conversation of one’s souls. You have something to tell me, don’t you? Fight me.”

You begin to walk from behind your horse. “You have to be serious.”

He nods. “I will.”

“Even if you think you can’t win.”

He begins to stand in a fighting position. “I’ll try.” 

You shift into your fighting position. "Then come!" 

The two of you lunge at each other. He’s faster than you are, and reflects most of your attacks, but when you finally manage to grapple him he hits the ground hard. The two of you dance along the moonlit shore to a rhythm nobody else will ever hear.

The two of you fall to the ground at the same time, panting and sweating. 

You laugh.