Theodore does have the side braid sported by his faceclaim. It began because he had a small chunk of hair that would not fit properly into the queue and would look absolutely ridiculous if cut off – seeing as he started aboard Odessa when he was a wee lad of twelve, he was helped out by one of the older men so that he could look presentable and have a bit of pizzazz on top of it.

As Theodore aged, his hair grew but the braid stayed for no other reason than the fact it had become familiar. Aboard Odessa it was never challenged – it was simply a part of who Theodore was. However, upon his transfer to Deliverance he was told in no uncertain terms to get rid of it, or face the consequences. During his six months upon her, Theodore was braidless.

As soon as he was aboard the prize ship for port, he returned his hair to its proper state and docked with his braid intact. Somehow he managed to squeak by with it, and for all but the most formal of occasions ( Straight up white wig formal! ) the braid stays.