MH Thaung
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mhthaung.mastodon.scot.ap.brid.gy
MH Thaung
@mhthaung.mastodon.scot.ap.brid.gy
Scottish-born pathologist, now in London. Attention split between #EyePath and #WritingCommunity. Writes #MicroFiction stories, also light-hearted […]

[bridged from https://mastodon.scot/@mhthaung on the fediverse by https://fed.brid.gy/ ]
"I've been wondering, sir," said the rookie, "why you picked me."

"Hmm." The detective added flour to the mixing bowl. "You were the #cream of the crop. Plus, you don't butter me up or egg me on."

The rookie frowned at the ingredients on the worktop. "I think that cooking sherry's gone to your […]
Original post on mastodon.scot
mastodon.scot
January 24, 2026 at 11:52 AM
"Finally!" Tripping over a shattered mace, the rogue beamed at the statue. "And untouched. Those emerald eyes, ruby fingernails..."

"It might be guarded," the barbarian warned.

"By what? Look at the dust. We're the first visitors for centuries."

"Those bone fragments didn't arrive themselves […]
Original post on mastodon.scot
mastodon.scot
January 6, 2026 at 10:39 AM
Peering through the bars, the rogue looked offended. "How could I have known I'd #fall foul of local customs?"

The barbarian grinned. "Because you grew up here?"

"In fact..." The mage gestured at the approaching crowd. "We invited your family to say hello."

"..."

#MastoPrompt #microfiction
January 4, 2026 at 10:44 PM
The rookie winced, watching the detective #wobble atop his desk. "Shall I try, sir?"

"Don't be silly, lad." He strained towards the light fitting. Flimsy fabric dangled just out of reach. "My office, my party, my responsibility."

"If I fetched a mop—"

"Uh oh." He stared out the window. "The […]
Original post on mastodon.scot
mastodon.scot
January 3, 2026 at 7:12 PM
Reposted by MH Thaung
apparently i can't quote-post my other accounts, will fix that later, but if you had friends or colleagues using med-mastodon.com, please go see if you can find them on another fediverse host or help them FIND a new fediverse host.

It seems the #medmastodon instance disappeared very abruptly […]
Original post on cosocial.ca
cosocial.ca
January 3, 2026 at 3:47 AM
"A constant whooshing sound?" The rogue rolled his eyes. "You're winding me up."

"No," the barbarian protested. "And it's not #continuous, more like—"

"Come on." Torch flickering in the draft, the rogue continued into the warm, damp tunnel.

"... something breathing."

#MastoPrompt #microfiction
January 2, 2026 at 5:29 PM
The megasale may be over, but all my books are still just 0.99 each until the weekend!

If you enjoy light-hearted SF with a retro vibe, check them out here: https://mhthaung.com/books
All my books just 0.99 until 4 Jan 2026!
Time for a seasonal sale! I’ve dropped the price on all 5 of my novels until the end of the year. Grab some bargains (if you haven’t already), and please tell your friends 🙂 ### The Diamond Device (Accidental Capers, Book 1) **A semifinalist in the 2022 Self-Published Science Fiction Contest** After diamond power promises to replace steam, an unemployed labourer and a thieving noble unite to foil an international plot and avert a war. Alf Wilson resents the new technology that cost him his factory job, especially as his clockwork leg bars him from army enrolment. He daren’t confess his unemployment to his overbearing mother. Desperate over the rent, he ends up in a detention cell with a hangover. Impoverished Lord Richard Hayes maintains his expensive parliamentary seat by a mixture of charm and burglary. During a poorly planned break-in, he inadvertently witnesses a kidnapping. To cap it all, the police arrest him for the crime. At least he’s using a fake identity. The real criminals make off with not just the professor who discovered diamond power, but her plans for a diamond-fuelled bomb. When Rich encounters Alf in the neighbouring cell, he sees an opportunity to keep his noble reputation intact. He persuades Alf he’s a secret agent who needs an assistant. This chance association will take them to the oddest locations. But law-abiding Alf’s first assignment? Break Rich out of jail. Available as an ebook and also in print. ### The Sapphire Solution (Accidental Capers, Book 2) A disgruntled young chemist. A reformed noble thief. A cranky, middle-aged lord. What could possibly go wrong? Apprentice chemist Iggy’s uncle won’t sign her off as competent, even though he trusts her with Project Sapphire: researching a formula to erase forensic evidence. When she finds an alternative route to sign-off, she applies her energy to that, neglecting her assigned duties to do so. In a stroke of luck, this decision leads her to a sponsorship deal, but her benefactor has secrets she’s unaware of. After his recent adventure abroad, Lord Richard Hayes is now home: and on probation to keep his seat on the Council of Lords. He has plentiful funds, detailed instructions and a boring plan for honest living, but despite his efforts to fit in, everything starts to go wrong. He loses his only household servant, he antagonises a young chemist the first time he meets her, and he gets blamed for a burglary he didn’t even do. The only bright spot is that making new enemies keeps life from being completely dull. Stiff-necked Lord Huntley Angus detests frivolous young nobles who dodge responsibility for their actions. But when he secretly pawns his wife’s jewellery to pay an unexpected debt, he gets entangled in a spiralling set of misfortunes. Available as an ebook and in print. ### A Quiet Rebellion: Guilt (Numoeath trilogy, Book 1) When infectious paranormal powers aren’t a gift but a threat to society, a man’s conscience leads him into increasing trouble as he opposes a corrupt official. Convoy captain Jonathan has a guilty secret: he killed a traveller who was cursed while under his protection. The killing wasn’t to defend the innocent, but to hide governmental employment of curse victims—like Jonathan—who have developed paranormal powers. To assuage his guilt, he bends the rules to help another, younger victim. His growing fatherly affection for her leaves him vulnerable to pressure from an unethical researcher. Can he navigate the bureaucratic web, do his duty and still keep his conscience intact? Available as an ebook and also in print. ### A Quiet Rebellion: Restitution (Numoeath trilogy, Book 2) Jonathan burns for revenge after fleeing the city with only a stolen uniform and shoes—and a murder charge hanging over him. Unscrupulous scientist Silvers imprisoned him to experiment on, because Jonathan’s cursed with a secret, dangerous power. Jonathan will have to survive, reach Silvers and kill him to prevent him from doing further damage. Rural herbalist Annetta is mortified after accidentally triggering Jonathan’s power the last time he visited her town. Convinced he’s a threat, she throws her efforts into developing a remedy to prevent him from killing again. An escaped murderer is just another headache for Eleanor. It’s not easy being queen. She needs to negotiate the moral maze that curses raise and avoid being assassinated like her father. With such disparate goals, will the right people come out on top? Available as an ebook and also in print. ### A Quiet Rebellion: Posterity (Numoeath trilogy, Book 3) In a land where paranormal powers are transmissible, but their recipients condemned as a threat to society, Queen Eleanor struggles to improve life for all her subjects including the afflicted. Rocked by a recent betrayal and disillusioned by her late father’s secret scheming, she fabricates threats of an external attack to push for social reform. Her ploy meets with initial success, easing her guilt about misleading the entire realm. However, evidence comes from an unlikely source that the threat is real. The realm must prepare for war, and Eleanor stands to lose everything she has fought for. Available as an ebook and also in print. ### A Quiet Rebellion: Short Tales How did an uneducated commoner become the king’s Chief Guard? Why did the town of Maldon end up with such an inept mayor? What really happened in the undocumented incident that left two powerful captains dead? And was the top councillor completely honest throughout his career? Enjoy these behind-the-scenes glimpses into the world of _A Quiet Rebellion_. This is a collection of four flash fiction stories, each under 1000 words. If you’ve read the novels, they may answer some questions about Numoeath’s history. If you haven’t read the novels, why not get a taste here? Available from a variety of ebook retailers here. It should be free, but the Kindle pricing is inconsistent. ### A Friendly Rivalry: A Numoeath Short Tale After I published the Numoeath trilogy and the flash fiction collection, a couple more minor characters decided they wanted to tell their stories. This is a slice-of-life piece set in capital city Ascar, twenty years before the main books. Ebook available for Amazon Kindle. Currently on Kindle Unlimited. ### Share this: * Click to share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon * Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook * Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email * Like Loading...
mhthaung.com
January 1, 2026 at 5:13 PM
"What gave me away?" The rogue widened his eyes.

The barbarian huffed. "That #virtuous expression always makes me suspicious."

"But—"

"Not just me. Everyone else would feel the same."

#MastoPrompt #microfiction
January 1, 2026 at 3:06 PM
The rogue shook his head. "You'll miss a great opportunity."

"To do what?" Reclining on his couch, the mage sipped from a gem-studded goblet. "Slog through mud, face an irate dragon?"

"Uh, yeah?"

"I'm enjoying this #sybaritic lifestyle. Do let me know how you get on."

"Hmph."

"Jealous?"

"I […]
Original post on mastodon.scot
mastodon.scot
December 31, 2025 at 1:05 PM
The dead wyrm heaved. A slit appeared in its side. Coated in digestive juices, the exhausted rogue squelched his way out.

"I #regret nothing," he muttered. His eyes closed. He started to snore. His grip loosened on the treasure he had retrieved.

Air and acid got to work. The enormous gem […]
Original post on mastodon.scot
mastodon.scot
December 26, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Happy to be part of this year's r/fantasy MegaSale. Hundreds of SF, fantasy and horror books on deep discount or free. Today and tomorrow only, so be fast!

Here's the list: https://megasale.yrliu.com/

(The book order randomises when you refresh.)

#bookdeals

Boost appreciated ☺️
December 26, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Clutching his chest, the official gasped, "Can't we negotiate? Special for you and your employees—"

"NO NEED." The dark figure swung its scythe. "YOU COULD CALL ME A #sole TRADER."

#MastoPrompt #microfiction
December 22, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Here's my latest round of rendering experiments and a couple of illustrated tiny stories.

https://mhthaung.com/2025/11/30/vss71/

#blogpost
November 30, 2025 at 10:20 PM
"When can we stop?" the barbarian wheezed.

Behind them, the ogre roared, its feet pounding rocks to gravel.

"Soon." The rogue kept up his effortless stride. "We only need to #exhaust it, then we can turn and fight."

His burly companion glanced back at the TWO ogres now on their trail. "I've a […]
Original post on mastodon.scot
mastodon.scot
November 28, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Reposted by MH Thaung
Last night over the U.S., the sky erupted — a rare volcanic lightning storm turned the night into something that looked otherworldly.
November 27, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Reposted by MH Thaung
Public Service Announcement: Ming The Merciless will never ask you to pay tribute using iTunes Gift Cards or Western Union wire transfer. I mean, His Evilness has his own orchestra, and how long would the wire have to be? Pay your tithe using conventional means of exchange such as emeralds […]
Original post on aus.social
aus.social
November 24, 2025 at 10:45 PM
"Lad," the detective said seriously. "I think it's time I recruited a #deputy."

The rookie blinked. "Er, why?"

"Clearly, someone has to take the blame."

"Ah."

#MastoPrompt #microfiction
November 24, 2025 at 7:04 PM
The rogue sloshed on. "What did you learn about the artefact?"

Holding his robe skirts up, the mage replied. "It's quite remarkable. The golden #scarab is widely revered, despite its common name of dung beetle."

"Hmph," the barbarian muttered. "Is that why we're approaching via the sewers?" […]
Original post on mastodon.scot
mastodon.scot
November 15, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Reposted by MH Thaung
Masto hive mind: I'm staying in Birmingham (UK) city centre tonight, and I want to go somewhere nearby by rail or bus that has a dark, flat north horizon in case the aurora hits. Any ideas?
November 12, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Reposted by MH Thaung
I bet you have a favourite recipe that tastes even better as next-day-leftovers than when first cooked. Don’t you wish you knew the secret to getting that scrumptious flavour in the first serve? Too bad, it’s impossible; there is no substitute for proper aging. That’s why I spent so much on this […]
Original post on aus.social
aus.social
November 11, 2025 at 8:52 PM
"More tea?"

"Thank you." After a sip, the detective nodded at his frail hostess. "Do you have any idea where your husband might be?"

"Certainly!" She fluttered her fingers. "Under the rose bush. Quite unforgivable."

"Er, what?"

"His abuse of my finest #porcelain. After that, he had to go." […]
Original post on mastodon.scot
mastodon.scot
November 11, 2025 at 7:34 PM
The barbarian stepped back. "Giant is better than venomous, right?"

"Maybe?" Eyeing the #spider's dripping fangs, the rogue added, "Though I'm not sure it's one or the other."

#MastoPrompt #microfiction
November 5, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Reposted by MH Thaung
https://freesewing.eu/ is a website that allows you to generate different sewing patterns based on your specific measurements. It's free and open-source.
#sewing #fiberarts #links #crafts
Free Bespoke Sewing Patterns | FreeSewing
FreeSewing is open source software to generate bespoke sewing patterns, loved by home sewers and fashion entrepreneurs alike.
freesewing.eu
November 1, 2025 at 6:24 PM
"Where are the guests?"

"What guests?"

"Have you forgotten? The humans you let in, bringing those vine fruits I so enjoy."

"But you told me to put them in the #hopper for processing."

"Oh." It licked the margin of its imbibement orifice. "Never mind."

#MastoPrompt #microfiction
November 1, 2025 at 3:23 PM
This month's random thoughts and illustrated tiny stories

https://mhthaung.com/2025/10/26/vss70/

#blogpost #microfiction #MastoPrompt
October 26, 2025 at 6:26 PM