*finishes her shot of whiskey, gathers up her robes. Closing her book, she lights a brazier and clears her throat*

Friends, Furries, Blasphemers and What-have-you, a great tragedy has befallen us. A great icon of our world, a hero, a champion, a pioneer and a voice of so many voiceless, a legend has left our mortal coil and gone to where we shall all one day follow. The godfather of Metal Himself, The Prince of Darkness, Ozzy Osbourne, has died.

I could sing you his praises. That would come as simply and naturally as any whose heart has ever been touched by another- any who know the love which blooms where true inspiration touches home.

I could tell you of my personal story and how his music, his truly larger-than-life existence as a icon onstage and his real-life antics helped to shape my worldview, time and again as I have grown from child to mother.

As a person who grew up in the days of the original "Satanic Panic", who grew up smothered by the dogmatic bigotry of a christian conservative family, I could speak volumes to you. An intersex woman, my very physical being made into a lie and a bludgeon of shame. I could tell you of what sparks of life glimmered, deep within my heart. I still recall so very clearly how this man's words and actions fanned them, kept them alive. I could tell you of how without ever knowing me, he saved the life of who I am today, the person I truly was, from the smothering machinations of that which surrounded me and the hollow shell I needed to be to survive.

It would move me to tears. Just the idea of sharing that journey with you all stings at my eyes.

But yes. That would be simple.

However- I know that Ozzy himself would not want us to mourn for him.

In an interview he said "When I do go, I don't want there to be morbid fucking crying people. I want people to celebrate my life. Get me in the ground as soon as you can. You can cry all you want but I ain't coming back. I don't think there are any fucking return tickets."

The world has lost a great hero, a true legend- but his music, his messages will live on forever.

Such is the life we can all aspire to live, to touch so many, so deeply, that our memory blazes a path across the world, leading on into eternity.

*pours another glassful*

THE PRINCE OF DARKNESS IS DEAD.

*raises her glass with a smile*

LONG LIVE THE PRINCE OF DARKNESS!

*Drinks it down through her tears*

Hail Ozzy Osbourne. Your life and your flame burn forever, a light for us all. We will not know your kind again.




Oh, and Terry Bollea died, too. Fuck that guy.


Ave Luciferi, beautiful humans. Big Love to you and yours. Take care of yourselves and take care of someone else.