[Oh! He recognizes that voice, and he perks up, taken aback by the sight of her even though he was expecting her to be a pony. She's just so...lovely. His expression relaxes immediately as he's looking at her, and try as he might as he's thinking up something to say, he can't will himself to look half as grumpy again.]

Ah...R-...Rarity. It's nothing, I assure you. I...apologize for not being in contact with you, It's been a rather difficult couple of weeks...

[Her mane. It's so. Spectacular.]