Nov 15, 2026, 11:45 AMYou like riddles, Fedi?
It's windy. A group of three friends out in the street, one walking forwards, two walking backwards. Why?
You can reply with yes/no questions or possible solutions, I might reply "irrelevant" to keep you on track.
@anarchiv are they looking for something/someone?
Nov 15, 2026, 11:47 AM@skippingmoonrocks no :)
@anarchiv is it dark outside?
Nov 15, 2026, 11:49 AM@skippingmoonrocks nope!
@anarchiv are they sharing any clothing or tools?
Nov 15, 2026, 11:54 AM@skippingmoonrocks nope :)
@anarchiv Walking backwards because it makes them less cold? Or makes it easier for them to hear each other?
Nov 15, 2026, 11:49 AM@bright_helpings neither the one nor the other :)
Nov 15, 2026, 11:54 AM@anarchiv @bright_helpings perhaps not because of coldness, but the wind makes it hard for the two to breath, so they have to walk backwards. the third one is not affected
Nov 15, 2026, 11:56 AM@stoori @bright_helpings No, but you're moving in a good direction here.
Nov 15, 2026, 11:57 AM@anarchiv @stoori @bright_helpings does it involve cigarettes?
Nov 15, 2026, 11:58 AM@owl @stoori @bright_helpings Yes!
Nov 15, 2026, 12:03 PM@anarchiv @stoori @bright_helpings do the cigarettes burn faster in wind? Or are they just trying to not hit the non-smoker(s)
Nov 15, 2026, 12:04 PM@owl @stoori @bright_helpings This was a really near miss
Nov 15, 2026, 12:07 PM@anarchiv @stoori @bright_helpings to not get smoke and ash in their eyes
Nov 15, 2026, 12:09 PM@owl @stoori @bright_helpings Almost there. Easier!
Nov 15, 2026, 12:27 PM@anarchiv @owl @bright_helpings so that the cigs don't slack off?
(apropos, it's surprisingly hard to come up with the correct phrase in english to say that a fire ceases to burn)
Nov 15, 2026, 12:28 PM@stoori @owl @bright_helpings Okay I'll solve it here, two of them are trying to light cigarettes while walking against the wind, the third doesn't smoke.
Nov 15, 2026, 11:52 AM@anarchiv To create a diversion in the snow, anyone following the footprints will think two of them walked the other way.
Nov 15, 2026, 11:55 AM@owl Good thinking, but no :)
Nov 15, 2026, 11:55 AM@astridpoot irrelevant :)
Nov 15, 2026, 12:47 PM
@anarchiv are these friends human?
Nov 15, 2026, 11:55 AM@mees yes, all of them
@anarchiv Carrying something large?
Nov 15, 2026, 11:58 AM@LovesTha nope!
Nov 15, 2026, 12:03 PM@anarchiv two walk backwards not to have the wind in their faces, also shielding the third, who is navigating.
Nov 15, 2026, 12:04 PM@j12i That's not it :)