Time around people, to be precise. But yes, of course. Time is a large part of the process.

[ Midnight leans his head back, closes his eyes. He thinks of Miss Popukar, suddenly. With her gentle nature, her sweetness in between bouts of confusion, dementia. It's occurred to him, among other possibilities, that she may have come from a lab. She was swinging around that chainsaw for years, but never learned how to read... ]

Someone who understands well enough to let you learn at your own pace... Someone a bit more worldly. That sort of person would serve you well.

[ ... Midnight opens an eye. ]

Is your Mr. Badou like that?