Beauty laughed. "Speaking of helping," she said, setting her champagne down and instead reaching into her basket. Out came that devilish fruit and she tossed it very gently toward Charlie. It had spikes, after all; she didn't want to hurt him with it.

"I butchered one of these trying to follow what you described to me the other day. There were seeds everywhere, all over my hands, all over the table -- it was a disaster! And then I got out a spoon and a bowl, but it still didn't help. I have no idea how to do what you said, Charlie, but I promise I tried!"

She was laughing again. It was still funny, thinking about how frustrated she'd gotten over a simple piece of fruit.