Prometheus's Gift XXII - The Decision

    Prometheus' taught jaw didn't waver as he stared at The Envelope.
    "How could I forget that day?" Eros went on.  "The sky and the wind and the company of a true friend that truly understood me."  It was her turn to stare at The Envelope a moment.  Mouth closed, she closed her eyes and slowly inhaled.  Then:  "I have never stopped wanting to become on of them, dear friend.  I would gladly trade an eternity of muddled half-living for a few decades of glorious life.  If your gift could do the exact opposite I would accept it without a thought."
    He said nothing, instead growing number to his surroundings and playing with The Envelope.  He studied its nonsense.  It was nothing but heated paper, now, preparing to do something to him if he doesn't act soon.  He thought of Zeus.  Badessy.  Raven and the rest.  His most powerful thoughts were of Jaime and Joey.  What they meant to him and what they meant to each other.  They had known each other since well before he and Jaime became an item.  They will be friends long after he falls to the wayside, he always did, off to do his deposed god stuff.  The Fates held no sway over them, to them The Fates meant nothing.  It was a fact now more clear than ever; the message on his machine and the question posed to Joey.  Joey's answer, so quick and decisive, strengthened by Eros and her longing.  All of this rang through Prometheus and everything he was.
    Enough.
    Decision reached, he slurped his Caesar, too quick, causing him to cough several times.  He held up The Envelope.  "The time," he said, coughing again, "has come."
    Eros tightened her posture, clacking her nails on the bottle, waiting.
    He reached into his vest and produced a Zippo then clacked it open.  He lit The Envelope.  Half the gods tensed, disappointed, half relaxed, relieved.  Everyone watched the lambent, amber flame dissolve The Envelope until it was gone to ash.  Gone and out of reach, no new gods would arise today.
    But maybe tomorrow, there's always tomorrow.
    Eros exhaled loudly, only now realizing he had been holding her breath.  She looked at the male stripper who was still dancing before his unaware mortal audience.  She closed her eyes and smiled.
    A minute passed where Prometheus couldn't hear or feel anything.  Little by little the voices and the music made their way back into his head...
    "Aye," Zeus said, slapping him on the back.  "It's done, for now.  I say we buy Prometheus booze for the next ten years!  Let's show the mortals what a proper piss-up be!"
    Prometheus turned then blinked, refocusing his eyes.  "Is Aphrodite here?" he asked, not knowing why he was asking.
    "Nay.  Haven't seen here, and you be betting your gizzards we be looking!"
    They turned to Eros.  She smiled cutely then shrugged her shoulders.  "Sorry, honey.  I haven't talked to mum in decades."
    Thor wandered down from the second floor, admiring the t-girls, wondering if he should finally tell Sif something...  Hera, seated down the bar and surrounded by men offering her drinks, crossed her legs and flirted, wondering how many she would take home tonight...  The Amazons and The Valkyries drank shooters and racked the balls up, bets placed...  Apollo followed Daphne, aroused by her new, boyish look...  Daphne, not wanting to have anything to do with him, ran for the door...  Lucifer sat, alone and in a dark corner, sipping scotch, musing that perhaps some day he'll join the rest, mortals willing...
    So many more, all talking and mingling.  Those of Current Management had already left, carried off in their limos to their Lear Jets, already planning the next phase...
    They crowded Prometheus, some irked, some relieved, all ready to talk and debate whether he had done the right thing.  And, of course, to drink themselves into oblivion...