"Sometimes it doesn't require silly," Gen told her with a little wink. "Sometimes ... I have to be devious-looking."

He bowed, and then put on a scary sort of smile. "Sometimes, people can be distracted by thinking I'm a little crazy, or that I'm more dangerous than I really am."

Gen's expression was bright and charming a moment after. "Especially if I'm doing a magic trick for someone very tough and macho! They don't want to feel like they've fallen for something dumb and silly."