[ He shifts uncomfortably, giving the impression that he would rather be anywhere but here, but he still answers with the same, gentle and earnest tone. He's shy and skittish himself, but it seems like he's not ashamed of what he's doing so much as just uncomfortable talking to someone. ]

...It's because it's cold.

[ Cole doesn't really like explaining things like this, since it makes it puts too much attention on him, when the real, important thing is that it's not for him at all. ]

It's harder for them to get food, and so they have to wait until the rain stops before they'll start singing again. But the singing makes people feel better. It softens the ice that sets in during winter, chilling and churning in the heart because the sun means so much. Especially to the rabbit who comes through to listen to the songs he heard when he knew what he was. It makes him sad, but it's the sort of softer sad.

[ He looks up a little, since these sorts of things just spill out because it's the only way Cole has learned to process all the feelings and memories that filter into his head, but at least spending time with the Inquisition, he's learned how odd and unsettling it's considered. ]

—He's not the only one, though. If the birds don't sing, it makes people sad without even knowing why.