Apple Pencil 2nd gen not charging w Ipad Pro

I have an Ipad Pro and an Apple Pencil 2nd Generation using IOS 14.4 that will not charge. This has been an ongoing issue since I first got the ipad and pencil in June of 2020. Prior to today, I would follow all of the online suggestions - "forgetting" the pencil, rebooting, re-pairing, confirming the pencil is on flat side, making sure it's tip facing the volume button (however, my pencil seems to favor the other direction) - all while the ipad pro itself is plugged in and at 100% charge. Today I've added hard rebooting (holding the powering buttons longer and not swiping to power down, waiting for reboot). This did not work either, so I've added steps like, talking to the pencil and asking it politely to charge, cursing at the pencil, all while walking, chewing gum, patting my head, and rubbing my stomach - alas all to no avail.

I've now found a youtube video talking about heating the pencil over the stove . . . So maybe I'll add this to my lunchtime activity.

But the biggest frustration is finding NO official statements regarding this issue, nor has any of the software updates (which I automatically receive) addressed this issue - which is clearly a problem experienced by many.

It's hard to work and be creative, maintaining a work regimen WHEN YOUR $129 PENCIL DOESN"T WORK!

Any other suggestions would be great. I'll report back about cooking my pencil with lunch.