"So, you think it might be possible that Jaune and team RWBY are still alive after all?"
"As I said before, Miss Valkyrie, I'm afraid that I do not know the answer to that." Ozpin sighs heavily, a pensive expression on his face. "Even with everything I have seen in my many years on Remnant, I'm afraid that this particular situation is unprecedented for everyone involved. As far as I'm aware, something like this has simply never happened before, so I cannot tell you for certain whether or not your friends are truly gone for good. The only one that I know of who could tell us what happened to them one way or the other is Ambrosius, but obviously that isn't an option for us at the moment."
Both Ren and Nora sag at his pronouncement. "So we're completely in the dark," Ren mutters bitterly.
"On this particular subject, that is unfortunately the case, yes," Ozpin replies smoothly, giving Ren a stern look. "But we should not allow that particular aspect of our circumstances to completely sap us of all hope. Just because we are not sure about our friends' chances of survival does not mean that we should assume the worst and write them off as dead. Hope is a far more useful tool than fear."
"That's what I've been saying!" Nora exclaims, elbowing Ren in the ribs.
"And you have always had excellent instincts, Miss Valkyrie."
Nora blushes, clearly pleased by the praise. "So, do you think that I'm right about that woman having seen Ruby?"
"Well, she certainly seemed to think that she had. And Miss Rose looks quite—distinctive, for lack of a better word. Not to mention that all of Remnant is aware of what she looks like, after the broadcast." He rests his chin in his hands. "But that begs the question of why, if she is truly alive and well and here in Vacuo, Miss Rose has not attempted to reach out to us in any way."
"That's what I don't get, either," Nora admits. "It's really not like Ruby to stay out of touch like this. But I was thinking, maybe something happened to her and she's hurt or confused or lost her memory somehow and that's why she hasn't tried to get back with us yet."
"That certainly is a possibility," Ozpin agrees diplomatically. "She could have a very good reason for attempting to remain under the radar."
"And what if it's not Ruby?" Ren asks, staring at Ozpin expectantly.
"If the girl in question is not Ruby Rose, then that only serves to make things even more complicated," Ozpin replies gravely. "It's possible that this could be some kind of bad actor, someone disguising themselves to look like Miss Rose in order to achieve some nefarious purpose by pretending to be the most well-known huntress in Remnant. It could very well be a trap set by Salem herself."
"That's exactly what I think it is," Ren mutters darkly.
"Regardless of what is going on, I find it imperative that we investigate whoever this girl might be and get to the bottom of things as soon as possible. After all, even if she isn't Ruby Rose or an ill-intentioned impostor, this girl is still in possession of silver eyes, a rare and powerful trait. She could be in serious danger."
"Sounds like a plan," Nora replies. Then she does a double take. "Wait, we? Don't you have, I don't know, important headmaster stuff to do still."
Oscar smiles at her. It's the first time he's really been present during this conversation. "Yes, we. While I do have important matters to attend to, Ruby is my friend as well. I'll help in any way that I can to help track her down and figure out what's going on."
"Glad to hear it!" Nora tells him, before turning to Ren. "Come on, Ren, let's get going! We can't be wasting time right now, we've got work to do!"