It was good to see that the Friday Fictioneers transition went smoothly last week, and that we didn’t seem to lose anybody on the way. This week’s photo is courtesy of Ted Strutz and reminded me of the night markets that take place along the banks of the Canal du Midi in France.
There’s something about a night market.
Strings of coloured lights glowing against a purple sky, casting shadows as they sway in the light breeze; people of all nationalities ambling between the stalls, and the air heavy with the aroma of roast chickens, fried onions, and simmering doughnuts.
And, just faintly, another scent … warm, coppery. My mouth begins to water and my pulse quickens. He must be here too – finally. It seems like a lifetime.
Looking around, it’s clear that a varied menu is on offer here.
Perhaps we can dine together tonight…though I suspect he may already have eaten.
castelsarrasin 
That warm, coppery taste is almost palpable. Very nice Sandra. Have a wonderful Halloween!
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Fangs a lot Andrew. 😉 Same to you.
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wild fang… you make my heart twang….
Did this take place around Fangsgiving?
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🙄
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🙄
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Nice, Sandra….subtle.
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Thanks Rochelle.
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That was quite nice. Vampires?
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Thanks for commenting; could be. 😉
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🙂
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I like very much…especially the ending.
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Thanks boomiebol.
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Do I suspect a Halloween story? The clue is …”warm and coppery”….plus the last line.
Is he human or …?
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Hmmm… a surprise for someone looks to be on the menu.
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Oh very chilling for the time of year and very clever too – I liked it 🙂
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Thanks Linda. My little contribution to the season…
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Love your first paragraph and you almost had me wishing I were there…then…not so much! Yes, it was very subtle and smooth and the title had that perfect double meaning. Very much in the holiday spirit (of Halloween, of course.)
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Thanks Janet; I thought I’d indulge in some seasonal stuff 🙂
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Ha this was excellent. A Halloween feeling indeed. 🙂
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Thank you!
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Really descriptive – I could smell all that food and feel the night air. Love the Halloween twist!
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Thank you Sheila. It kind of stimulated my appetite too. 😉
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Hahah – were you a vampire for Halloween then?
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Hi Sandra,
You get top Count for this one. It really has bite. Great description of an outdoor night market. Ron
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Thanks Ron, glad you liked it. I’m still not getting the link to yours yet …
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Dear Sandra,
You are excellent at long, complex compound sentences. When you write them they flow as soft and warm as the blood of a young…
Never mind.
Great story.
One peeve to discuss with you. Somewhere, sometime in the past someone decided that blood tasted of copper and from then on that attribute has been used as hint or description of fact in stories, detective, horror, true crime. My question is this: Has no author ever really tasted blood? For that matter, has no author ever tasted copper. There is no link between the two. Now iron…
Well, that’s another story.
Aloha,
Doug
(The Nitpicker:)
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🙂 Whilst nits are being picked, I didn’t say it tasted of copper, I said there was an aroma of copper. 🙂 Though in truth I’ve never been around the presence of spilled blood, so I’d not know whether it smells of copper either. I demurred at the thought of using that phrase, but in the absence of any personal experience to direct me otherwise… In fact, I think this might be the first time I’ve ever written about vampires; my code of conduct for life precludes me from doing three things: eating at Macdonalds, watching X Factor and writing about zombies. I hope this isn’t the thin end of the wedge… 😦
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And thanks for commenting so kindly. 🙂
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I’d glad he’s picking nits instead of zits. That would ruin my evening at the market, which you painted so beautifully BTW.
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Excellent, Sandra. Very skilfully drawn out!
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Thank you Joanna; glad you liked it.
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Very nice and creepy.
Here’s mine: http://unexpectedpaths.com/friday-fictioneers/a-ghosts-tale/
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I like the way your story morphed from a kind of travelogue to a mysterious, spooky paranormal. Excellent!
–Jan
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Thanks Jan, glad you liked it.
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A love story for a vampire, Sandra? That’s nothing like I was expecting from you, but you carried it off with your typical style and aplomb. Niccely done!
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First time I’ve done vampires Jennifer. Not comfortable at all with it, but I’d no other inspiration this week.
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Sorry, thanks for dropping by.
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I love the spawn of poetry-prose you gave the first paragraph distracted me a little from the task at hand. And i had a soft landing too with the end of the story…Just had lunch at work and this got me wishing for more!
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There’s always dinner, Charles. 🙂 Thanks for dropping by.
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“Fangs a lot”? Love it. And on the serious side, your description of the night market is excellent. Stirs memories.
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Thanks! Thanks for dropping by and commenting.
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Maybe in honor of a best selling sensation, it should have been the Twilight Market? 🙂 I enjoyed it. And I think blood tastes like copper pennies….and yes, I have put both in my mouth, so I know of which I speak. Mine is here: http://erinleary.wordpress.com/2012/11/02/flash-friday-fiction-14/
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Ah! an expert witness. I do remember putting coins in my mouth put can’t vouch for blood. Thanks for commenting Erin, enjoyed yours.
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Very nice touch!
if the two of you do dine together, I’m not going to ask either of you if you want ketchup ….
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Ketchup… Mmm. Thanks for dropping by Perry.
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You really brought the setting to life, pulled us in with the senses. I loved the paranormal hint you garnished the piece with.
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Thank you Debra! 🙂
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he may have already eaten. lots of possibilities there.
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I’m sure he can make room for a bit more Rich, the night is yet young.
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Nice, Sandra! I really get the feeling of being there with your mention of all the aromas. Isn’t that true when you go to these night markets? It makes me hungry…
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Yes, I’m always dubious about food that’s been cooked outdoors like this but I usually manage to overcome my scruples… Thanks for commenting.
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Ok, I will wear a turtleneck to all night markets from now on! Nicely done.
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I think you’ll just present even more of a challenge! 🙂 Thanks for dropping by.
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remind me to decline any invitations to be dinner. I enjoyed that, and as always you tie up your 100 words with a nice twist.
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Thanks Bill. Enjoyed your ‘less than magical’ glasses story too.
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although in front of the right eyes, hardened and driven perhaps they would make him a king, or more.
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Very sensual — the power of scent translates so well here.
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A great take on the prompt Sandra.
I loved the creepy connotations and the idea of ‘varied menu’ ……. All those people, tasty!
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As a new Fictioneer, I hope you won’t mind my referencing the likely words of a friend I have in London – “It’s a bloody good read!”
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Ignore the comment about hitting the wrong picture…my fault.
Very good story…love vampires, anyway!
Scott
Mine: http://kindredspirit23.wordpress.com/2012/11/02/friday-fictioneers-6/
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I wonder just what was it about that pic that made so many of us think along these lines? Loved your story too!
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Ooh… roast chicken and fried onions… sounds good. Maybe Hannibal is coming for the other menu also…
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Break out the Chianti! 🙂
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Love this. Reminded me of the fair I attend each year here, but then the coppery smell. Oh my.
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Loved the subtlety of the vampitre reference. Not good to be out after dark with the Fictioneers! Great story.
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Oh, that’s got some promise of a bigger story! More, please!!! 🙂
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Ooooooh I like this one!
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