It took a few moments to get into the rhythm of the fight, to re-accustom herself to his movements and reactions. The few blows that landed were perfunctory at best, but it took her a little less time than the last to get her bearings. Then... the trick with the ducking, and suddenly, she was on the defensive as he bore down on her. Her eyes narrowed.
Perhaps with him, even such a small courtesy was unnecessary; she ought to have kicked him in the head, if that was what he wanted.
She barely blocked a punch aimed at her shoulder, then a kick aimed at her chest. Then.... there, an opening, just enough; with an abrupt shift of styles, she launched into one of the combinations Lady Marcos had been teaching her, tailored for claws but quite functional without them, and, she knew, unfamiliar to most who had not had extensive experience with Fi'noi warriors. She saw the shock on his face - as though he had expected her attacks to remain pedestrian indefinitely - as she wrenched the initiative back, began pushing him. There were practice targets scattered around the yard, here and there. If she could corner him against one of those...
A quick series of hooks and jabs - high, then low - gave her the opportunity to bend her knees, prepare. With a grunt, she launched herself into the air. Her body weight was her greatest aid while she attempted to bolster her strength. With the force of it behind the flying kick which caught him in the chest, he would stumble back, or even fall.