[Felix starts off the same way - watching her carefully, noting her stance, her footwork, her technique. All impressive so far, he thinks; he hasn't seen much, but he doesn't need to. Her speed is comparable to his, which is also impressive. Not even Byleth can say as much.

--and then suddenly she's charging headlong at him like the boar on a bad day, and he prepares to do what he does with Dimitri: meet her blow but leap back on impact, using her momentum to propel himself into a better position. It works because Dimitri's generally aiming to hit him.

This woman isn't, which he doesn't realize until it's too late to change his tactics.

He swears aloud and ends up simply stumbling back from her as both their swords crack and splinter in their hands.]

What the hell was that for?

[But then he tilts his head, even as he's tossing aside the blade and taking up a brawler's stance instead.]

Hmph. Perhaps you believe I'll be at a disadvantage in an unarmed fight. If so, I assure you, you're mistaken.