[quote=@Mokley] I'm not sure I follow what you mean. :) Using contractions in speech is a very small detail when it comes to how a character is portrayed. Are you concerned about the way he comes across as a first impression? [/quote] A bit. I actually like how I have portrayed him so far. Major flaws are good in a character. [quote=@Takashi] Well, I think the formality of no contractions is offset by the coarseness of threatening to spank a young woman with her own sword. lol. [/quote] See 'soldier' coarse and gruff go with the territory. But he can be polite at the same time. (Or at least he tries) The contradiction is part of his character.