Tide had a habit– not good, and not bad –of letting his Pokémon remain... Free. Half the time he forgets he even has Pokéballs on him, so rarely does he use them. It is for that reason that the strange gentlemen would be met with a menagerie of curious faces, regarding him with varying degrees of civility; ladyba, or Spots, as the his former trainer had named him– Arceus help that poor man, wherever he is now –sat comfortably on top of Tide's head. Not his first choice for a cushion, but it was a bug type, and not particularly heavy nor obstructive. Sylveon, his ever faithful companion, was rubbing herself against his legs affectionately, one ribbon curling around him protectively while the other encircled an ice cream cone. She did not appear to be particularly bothered by him, but she did watch him. Gardevoir was behind and beside him, patiently enjoying her own treat. Her face remains stoic as the man compliments her performance, but she lightly inclines her head in appreciation. Mightyena was cowering behind the man, anxiously watching everybody who passed by, but keeping an especially close eye on the stranger. Tide has been trying forever to acclimate him to people, and while he is better, it's still not perfect. Maybe one day... Maybe one day. Buizel was... Gone. Who could say where he had gone to. All he knew was that the moment he started moving, he would magically reappear as if he were never gone. And altaria... Arceus bless that thing. She was standing opposite gardevoir, glaring daggers at chatot with what Tide would charitably describe as murderous intent. Her beak clenched, and her antenae were raised in what Tide had come to recognize as a threat display. Her claws raked against the ground, sending up threatening sparks, but she didn't make a move on the bird...

Tide, for his part, merely laughed. "What happened to enjoying my afternoon?" He asked with a mirthful twinkle in his eye. He raises a hand before the old man can object. "I jest. I'm quite enjoying your company, and I agree, hearts do matter. I wouldn't be anywhere if I couldn't connect to my beloved pokémon." He affectionately pats the head of gardevoir, whose expression remains unchanged, although a light blush tinges her cheeks. Sylveon makes a delighted noise, and ladyba– spots buzzes his wings in a gesture he can only assume is assent. He's still learning the bug-type. Altaria emits a call that sounds suspiciously like a challenge. Not at Tide, but towards the old man and his chatot. Tide eyes the blue creature for a moment. "... Some of my pokémon have fairly strong hearts. I'm truly blessed with my team. As for the competition," he shrugs nonchalantly. "It'll happen when it happens, and I'll be there. The best preparation is a clear mind and a positive attitude, I say!"

All of his pokémon, sans mightyena, give out calls of approval.