Inspired by a gorgeous piece of fanart you can see on tumblr by Forsty.
Kayo didn't often look at herself in the mirror. Not because she wasn't vain but because she seldom had the time for more than a quick glance to make sure everything was fine before getting on with her job.
Unless that particular part of her job required her to be 'Penny-smart', in which case she would spend much longer getting her 'face' on.
Today, though, she had neither job to do and no pressing need to be out and doing stuff. Instead, she found herself sitting at her desk-come-dressing table and staring at herself in the mirror.
There were fine lines around her eyes and mouth that told of laughter and love. Grey was creeping into the front but she quite liked the thick swirl of silver along the right side of her hair.
She'd never considered dying it for a moment - her family had taught her to accept herself as she was and although it had taken many years, the figure that looked back at her was comfortable in her own skin.
Besides, although the Teenies (and yes they were still called that much to their chagrin) teased her by saying she'd soon give Scott a run for who had the most silver, she knew that they thought her look was most distinguished.
Laughing at her train of thought, she padded over to the wardrobe to pick out what to wear. One side contained five or six identical copies of her uniform and a couple of dresses she'd worn with Penny undercover that she'd just loved too much to give back.
Should she wear a dress?
Hesitating for just a moment, she ran her fingers over a raspberry silk and gold embroidered Cheongsam that particularly flattered her. She pursed her lips in thought.
No. Today was a special day, yes, but it felt right for her to be in uniform even if she wasn't going out…
Fully dressed, hair held back as usual, Kayo made her way downstairs. It was quiet - on another day that quiet would spell trouble - but not today.
Sure enough, the whole family had gathered at the base of the stairs. Her brothers were grinning up at her, their children milling around them and all of them began clapping and cheering as she appeared.
When she was younger she would have blushed, tried to have turned attention away from herself. Now she basked in their love.
'Happy Birthday' was shouted at her, a beautiful cacophony of noise, and she beamed at them.
'Strike a pose,' someone shouted, and without thinking about it Kayo dropped into her fight-stance.
A click and everyone relaxed, and Kayo was absorbed into the crowd that was hers.