Go defensive

You try to think through your biggest problems, and what solutions you could get. The two biggest problems was her weapon put you at a reach disadvantage, and her agility made her defense better than your offense. But... if you could turn this into a grappling match both of this factors wouldn’t matter. The only downsides were those two disadvantages made it very difficult to get to a grappling match, and that she would be expecting it.

You back off, trying to buy time to recover from the body blow you received, as well as draw her in to the attack. You start bouncing a bit, taking up a mobile boxing style. You had never boxed, but it was an easy style to mimic and maybe she would be fooled into thinking you wanted to strike over grapple.

Her infuriatingly smug shit grin hasn’t changed at all, and she elogantly follows, staying out of your range as she seems to play with her cane. “You know, I’ve taken on dozens of rookies like you, and they have all become guests at my kennel. And you know why they all failed? Just like you, they think they are unique, wether stronger or smarter than all their predecessors... and they all were wrong. You aren’t any different, you will will break before me, and in a week I’ll be auctioning off the latest pet to whoever the hell I want. And I doubt I will ever see you again.”

You know that this is all mind games, but you can’t help but feel atleast part of it is true. You attempt to shrug off the doubt, but it is creeping in stronger and stronger. You do want to remain in the defensive... but now you wonder if that is playing into her hand, or if reacting would be what she wants. Every decision you can think of seems wrong or would benefit your opponent.