that girl

Carmen Abalos. Second in Command for Echo. Thirty Six.

[carmenabalos]

— BASICS

Name: Carmen Abalos Age / D.O.B.: 36, August 19th, 1988 Gender, Pronouns & Sexuality: Cis woman, she/her, pansexual Hometown: Cebu City, Philippines Siblings: younger open half sister Affiliation: Echo Job position: Second in Command Education: High School GED Relationship status: Single Children: A son named Benjie, born March 2020 Positive traits: Alert, vivacious, adaptive, flirtatious, witty, resourceful Negative traits: Vindictive, cold, impatient, stubborn, critical

— BIOGRAPHY

Growing up in Cebu City, Carmen never thought her life would ever take the trajectory it did. She never thought she'd leave the Philippines when she was a little girl, let alone move to a foreign country halfway across the world. Her mother was from the United States and had met her father while there teaching English. However, her parents divorced when she was just two years old and she went with her mother. By the time of her fourth birthday, her mother had married a new man in Cebu City. This was the man Carmen thought of as her father, most of her earliest memories are of him playing with her, riding on his shoulders as they ran around the yard, of him reading bedtime stories to her. But when she was ten, her father got a job in Seattle, Washington in the United States in the growing tech world. Carmen's birth father stayed behind in the Philippines, but it made no difference since the man had not reached out to her or her mother since the day he left. She left behind her home and moved to this new city that had more rainy days than sunny ones. Despite being sad about leaving behind her family and friends, Carmen was a bright and charming girl and quickly made friends in the new world.

Carmen had already been learning English in school and at home over in the Philippines, so she didn't start off knowing nothing compared to the other kids. She took to her new life quickly, making friends and becoming well-adjusted in this new life. They made a new life in America, going on trips to see the big and expansive country she had never seen before. Even taking a family vacation to Hawaii one summer. But then everything changed once more, ripping away any happiness she had come to known. One day when she was sixteen her parents were in a car accident and died. They had been driving to come see her in her first school play. All of her grandparents over in the Philippines were either dead or in no shape to take care of a teenager. And no one was able to find or get in touch with her birth father. With no family members able to take her in, Carmen was put in the foster system.

The once bright girl became dark, angry and upset with the world for taking away her family and for putting her in this horrible system with people who didn't want her as she bounced from house to house. Like her dad, she had loved computers and technology. She'd already been involved in coding before, but it wasn't long before the angsty and lonely teenager soon got into the dark web and hacking. By the time she was seventeen, Carmen was a very talented hacker and she was able to go against some pretty skilled people. One day when she was hacking into a bank's network, she stumbled upon one such person. At first, she though the other person was an idiot. They were going to trip the system and get caught. At the last second she decided to warn them. This person turned out to be Donovan Walsh and he was so impressed with her skills, he offered the teenager a spot in the hacking gang he was a part of called the Echo. Carmen denied his offer, not wanting to tie herself to people knowing she was better off alone. But when she turned eighteen and aged out of the foster system with no money, no home and no acceptances to any colleges, Carmen knew she needed to reach out.

Carmen joined the Echo at eighteen, staying with the gang and finally finding a family once more. She moved with the gang when they relocated to Los Angeles in 2012 and found that the sunny city suited her better. Through the years, Carmen worked her way up through the ranks always having a close bond with Donovan as he himself worked his way up. When he became leader, it was no surprise that he picked her to be his second in command. Seven years ago, she met one Lucky de la Cruz at a party. Despite the differences in their lives and their alliances to their gangs, she quickly fell into a relationship with the man. The two undeniably had a lot of fun in their relationship, often partying and doing as they pleased. But when things turned serious, Carmen asked him to give up the drugs and to try to make things work with her. He agreed, and for a while he cleaned things up and the two got more serious. But Carmen still hated his part in the Family, she hated the life they promoted with the drugs, the power, the corruption and while she knew her part in Echo was not innocent, she saw the stark differences and dangers of the other organization. She kept trying to get Lucky to leave with her. To choose her.

One day five years ago, Carmen had been at a club with him while members from the Family were conducting a business deal. It went wrong and bullets started flying. Carmen was caught in the crossfire and had to go to the hospital with a gunshot wound in her arm. Due to the trauma of seeing her bleeding out, Lucky had turned to drugs once more. When he came to the hospital, she begged him to choose her and to leave the Family for once. But he couldn't say no to the drugs, to the money and the power and the only life he knew. She ended things right then. After getting out of the hospital, Carmen had a one night stand with a stranger to try and mend her broken heart. It hadn't been long after she found out she was pregnant. She gave birth to her son Alejandro Benjie Abalos, who she calls Benjie, not with the father by her side, but with her best friend Donovan by her side. He'd been there every step of the way, even before she was pregnant from the day she joined Echo. He had a daughter about the same age, so the two of them worked together, their kids becoming just best friends as well. They both have been a part of each other's lives so much, and have been a huge part of each other's children's lives as well.

She's not happy with the recent deal Donovan had to make with another Family member, and therefore The Family as a whole. She hates the whole gang, and has made it clear to Donovan that she refuses to do any business with Lucky. But, she also knows the heavy weight he bares as the leader and what this alliance could mean for Echo as a whole. So she'll support him as his second in command and as his friend, even if she doesn't agree with it.

— WANTED CONNECTIONS / PLOTS

Gang members

Adversaries

Exes

Friends with benefits/Situationships

Parent friends

Someone after her spot

Friends

[snowbairdd]

SHAY MITCHELL getting ready for the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party (March 02, 2025)

[staincdvermillion]

FEATURING    ›     luciano & carmen ( @carmenabalos ) LOCATED AT    ›     out at a park

the latest event had been nothing short of another show of force. of being able to get to each and every one of them. the previous board had been murdered, and now, enzo barone himself. the death had come with little surprise, with little want for mourning. yet, it had come with a further necessity: for the next don of the family to be chosen. the vote would come, three for each of the families. and luciano, being the fourth oldest within the de la cruz clan, had not been selected. perhaps it had been a blessing, or perhaps a further curse. the silver lining, he was certain that his family knew that he did not want the don spot .

but the concerns still lingered. the thoughts that pushed their way into his mind. as he moved down the trail, the concrete path that curved around the park. despite wearing an outfit that didn't exactly scream park, he'd found himself there all the same. one that he'd come to a few times with his mother, a core memory buried down deep. he'd been in his thoughts, somewhere, when the sight of her drew his attention. caused him to step off the path. " is this becoming a pattern, us running into each other again ? starting to feel like fate . " he quipped, that easy grin dangled on his lips .

[carmenabalos]

Carmen always had to separate the two parts of her life. Echo and her son. Benjie was one of the only good things in her life, and though certain aspects of her life from Echo bleed into her son's life with Diana and their shared leader, she still worked hard to keep him out of that life. He didn't need to know what she truly did. Or the forces that really controlled this town. So when Carmen had come to the park today with Benjie, she turned off her phone and was relieved to just sit here and pretend to be a normal mom.

There was no shooting she had witnessed. No Barone bleeding out in the hospital shot by a Kurtlar cop. No looming war. She was just Carmen the mother with Benjie her son. But as soon as she heard the voice behind her, Carmen stiffened. No. Not him. "Lucky." Her tone was icy, unwelcoming. Carmen didn't want him here. She wanted to keep her son away from this mess and here was a Family member, a board member none the less, and she didn't want him to even see her son. "Fate must be wanting to piss me off." She spoke, finally turning to look at him and praying to anything that would listen that her son wouldn't come over. "You should leave. I'm sure you have enough on your plate right now."

[wildheartcd]

Gemma hadn't really come up with a plan and she found that was how she worked best. Nothing ever went the way it was meant to anyways. She'd spent a few moments observing her half sister until she figured it was the best time to make a move, deciding to go in as strangers as first to lessen the blow. Maybe it would be easier to swallow if they got along. She'd need to figure out a plan b if they didn't. "Are you here by yourself?" She asked as she sat down, smiling towards her. "I'm new to town so this is kind of my way to meet new people and connect with people. You know, make friends."

[carmenabalos]

Carmen couldn't help hide the amused smirk as the other spoke and took the seat next to her. "If you were a guy that'd sound like such a line." She chuckled softly. But it hadn't come off that way at all from this woman. "I am, and I'd be happy to help you connect with new people." If only for the sake of a drink and some conversation. "So how long have you been in town?" Carmen asked. Los Angeles was always drawing new people in, drawing them in with promises of fame and fortune and wealth and more. It was like fly paper in that regards, luring you in before you got stuck in the sticky mess and dragged most down.

[troywindsor]

If anyone could wear a mask strategically and correctly, it was the current Attorney General of the State of California. He didn't know what it was like, not to wear one. He had ensured that the persona he showed to other people was the most different and distant version of who he really was, no matter what. Threats weren't something he dealt with regularly; his job less visible now than it was when he worked on more public cases, on victims that the public could see. However, the threat of a secret had him almost slipping in front of a woman he hardly even knew.

"No, my assistant just texted me and that's rare on a Friday night." For what it was worth, Troy did reach out and grabbed the drink she was offered him. His phone felt heavy in his hand but he made sure to avoid looking at it again, in an effort to avoid Carmen being able to see its screen. "I was unaware your organization would be invited tonight, it's good to see you." The corner of his lip tugged upwards briefly, swiftly trying to regain his composure as he began to hear someone trying to usher people into the main room. "After you?"

[carmenabalos]

The thing about wearing a mask was when one wore one, one could recognize it in others. And Carmen who had hide behind a computer screen and who lived a double life for so long could tell that even though it was practiced and skillfully done, something was wrong. He was rattled. And Carmen suspected Troy was not a man who was rattled often.

"I suppose with a job like yours there is no turning that off." Carmen spoke, and though her words were light there was a new sharpness to her gaze. She caught his gaze as they both lifted the glasses to their lips, an unspoken message of if he'd reveal the truth. "Yes, when these things happen we are often amongst the invited. The gathered forces that be in the city. And though we may not be as big or well known, we are often there." Carmen explained knowing that this was as much a networking and show of their standing as much as it was for the other gangs. "Good to see you again too. And here I thought I had spooked you off before." Before they could get much further though, the crowd started being shuffling into a main room. "Thank you."

Time skip

The chaos of the fight inside and the gunshots outside had turned the whole night into a clusterfuck. But Carmen was still sharp enough to notice the face in the crowd who had mysteriously disappeared earlier. With her people now accounted for, Carmen cut through the crowd, grabbing him by the shoulder to turn him around to face her. "You weren't in the room." It wasn't a question.

[carmenabalos]

WHO: Lucky de la Cruz @staincdvermillion LOCATION: Inside the locked room

She knew something bad was going to happen. How could all of the players controlling the city be in one place without the Hollow striking again? Were they all that dumb? Carmen had tried to get her people as prepared as they could be walking into the party tonight. Pushing for them to arm themselves if possible. To be alert and not do anything stupid. And yet they all found themselves locked in a room with no power, tensions rising and worse a fight broke out. Carmen had been trying to find her people and after doing a head count figured out Diana was missing. The feeling of lead dropped into her stomach and Carmen didn't want to panic or think what would happen to her friend... her best friend if she was being honest. She had to keep cool and keep herself together so she could protect Echo and find Diana before the worst. While others were focused on the fight, Carmen was at one of the doors that other's had abandoned, inspecting them with the flashlight from her phone. She heard someone approach behind but didn't look up. "Do you know how to pick a lock?" She asked the mystery person, attempting to even find some part to pick as this side of the door was nothing but smooth wood.

[staincdvermillion]

the dark had descended upon them without reprieve. and it would only be expected the some play was at hand. likely by the hollow. though, luciano would find further entertainment if one of the organizations themselves had made a move. or maybe that had been the alcohol speaking, as it buzzed around the edges of his mind. the glow of various phones had illuminated what they could. those trapped within the expansive room, and on the fight that had soon enough broken out. the sounds of struggle filled the room, mixed with the sounds of exclamation. of those attempting to get out of the way. among those who fought, luciano recognized one. saw the moment when his forehead connected with another. how intriguing, maybe he'd send a congratulations for being such a brute in the form of another photo. maybe .

in the meantime, as the fight had begun to be broken up. luciano edged away from the crowd. perhaps finally in search of an exit. or maybe in search of another bottle. or those that actually meant something to him. as he stepped through those that milled around, luciano was greeted with two out of three of those means. as his gaze fell upon carmen, with her sights on one of the doors that had been locked from the outside. " no, most doors opened for me automatically . " he stated with ease, as if they all weren't trapped in some room of uncertainty. " you'll have a better shot kicking it, anyway . "

[carmenabalos]

END

[carmenabalos]

Carmen knew something was going to happen tonight. The last time all the gangs of the city had been gathered into one place, that night had ended in fire and carnage. As much as she had been trying to keep her eyes on all of her people during the night, in the mess of everyone being called into the room they were locked into, she had lost sight of Diana. And now with the lights out and tension rising, Carmen had been scouring the room to look for every person she cared for. But as she finished her second sweep of the room it was clear. Diana was missing. "I can't find Diana." Carmen answered as a way of greeting, her voice low. "We need to get out of here so we can find her. I will not let anything happen to her. This has to be the Hollow."

[imanixkline]

If she'd been the type to be hard on herself perhaps she might have felt some degree of contrition that her mind hadn't immediately gone to the safety of her people. But she never had been the emotionally driven type, success rarely came from the concern for others. Usually the lack of it. But she was glad to see Carmen and brow did furrow slightly at the mention of Dee's absence. "And the others?" She hummed in light acknowledgement that they needed to find a way out. "That's easier said than done, I've been looking for a way out but I think we're locked in the old fashioned way. We should see if someone else here has skills that'd be better suited to either breaking it down or picking the lock -" She'd always been the brains never been the brawn or the brutish type but there were undoubtedly others in the room that would fit that description. " -and in the meantime, Diana can take care of herself." It wasn't a callous statement, just a fact she was convinced was true as aware as she was of Diana's skillset. She'd recruited her, after all, she only chose the best.

[carmenabalos]

END

[ardenmoore]

Arden rolled her eyes, lifting her drink for another slow sip. “Probably for the best,” she muttered behind the rim of her glass. The whole thing felt absurd, really—being this on edge, waiting for the other shoe to drop, while everyone around them looked like they’d stepped out of a Sonny & Cher tribute act. Her fingers twitched slightly as her attention drifted to the hidden pocket in her bell bottoms, silently checking that the knife was still there—still real, still hers.

“Better you than me, I guess,” she added dryly, glancing sideways. “Thought rich people were supposed to have class.” A subtle smirk pulled at her mouth, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I dunno. Doesn’t this all feel...excessive to you? Like these bastards are just trying to prove something right before they fuck us entirely?”

[carmenabalos]

Everyone was on edge. The only ones who truly seemed to be enjoying the party were those who had no idea what was truly going on. The faces Carmen didn't recognize as part of any of the organizations gathered here tonight. And who could blame them? They were on a luxury yacht enjoying a glamorous party. But everyone else was on edge and waiting for the newest player in the city to make another appearance. They'd be stupid if they weren't at least considering the Hollow to show up.

"Thanks. Though I think my eyes would disagree." Carmen chuckled, rolling her eyes sarcastically but in good humor. "I mean, you know how rich people are. Once they think they are exposed they always put on a show just to show off how perfectly fine they are." It was always about appearance with these people and she knew the Network was trying to show everyone, including the Hollow that they were doing just fine.

[carmenabalos]

— THE NETWORK YACHT PARTY

CARMEN ABALOS ATTENDING WITH HERSELF

[carmenabalos]

WHO: Lucky de la Cruz @staincdvermillion LOCATION: Inside the locked room

She knew something bad was going to happen. How could all of the players controlling the city be in one place without the Hollow striking again? Were they all that dumb? Carmen had tried to get her people as prepared as they could be walking into the party tonight. Pushing for them to arm themselves if possible. To be alert and not do anything stupid. And yet they all found themselves locked in a room with no power, tensions rising and worse a fight broke out. Carmen had been trying to find her people and after doing a head count figured out Diana was missing. The feeling of lead dropped into her stomach and Carmen didn't want to panic or think what would happen to her friend... her best friend if she was being honest. She had to keep cool and keep herself together so she could protect Echo and find Diana before the worst. While others were focused on the fight, Carmen was at one of the doors that other's had abandoned, inspecting them with the flashlight from her phone. She heard someone approach behind but didn't look up. "Do you know how to pick a lock?" She asked the mystery person, attempting to even find some part to pick as this side of the door was nothing but smooth wood.

[troywindsor]

Troy handled strangers, crowds and strangers that approached him with an ease that was engrained in his brain from a very young age. Family of lawyers, the other side a family of businessmen. He could do it half asleep and with his eyes closed.

This was, too, the case with social gatherings and connections as proved by Carmen's sudden appearance right in front of him, almost as if she'd materialized from thin air. The smile she mentioned did not falter, despite his mixed feelings about running into her.

"I don't go anywhere I can't have a good time at." His voice dripped with charm, as it usually did when around people that he hadn't figured out yet as he gestured to the glasses in her hands, smoke from his cigarette leaving his lips. "Is one of those for me?"

Before Carmen could answer, Troy's phone vibrated in his hand and he lifted it up, a frown appearing on his lips as he made sure his screen was only visible to him, while trying not to tune out Carmen as he thought of every single possibility. "Are you not into the party of it all?" He asked, trying to remain emotionless and collected.

[carmenabalos]

Ah that charm that dripped from his lips. Carmen's lips twitched in amusement as he laid it on thick. But she wasn't blinded by his good looks and smooth charm. Instead, she could sense out the dishonesty of it, the clear smokescreen that it was supposed to be. "Spoken like a man who is used to getting his way." She greeted, her voice smooth like honey as she matched everything he gave her. But she suspected it simply was bravado and only a line. He went plenty that he was not happy at. "Yes. A token of goodwill." Carmen held out one of the drinks for him.

He could hide it all he wanted, but whatever text he had received had caused some kind of negative reaction from him. There could be a million different texts that came across his screen with a million different options for bad news, but the hairs on the back of her neck were standing up. "I'm enjoying the party." The unspoken so far hung between them as she tilted her head to study him. "Something wrong?"

[carmenabalos]

[dee-riley]

She nodded lightly, knowing that whilst she wasn't technically at the gala that night, she had still heard - in snippets - what had happened. It was ruthless and she couldn't deny that she wasn't worried. "Not sure anyone will until it happens." The Hollow's next move, that was. "You know we could sit here and guess XYZ and still not hit the nail on the head." she lifted her shoulder in a small shrug, "and unfortunately I think all we can do is try to cover ourselves." at least that was what she thought.

Their slight shift in conversation briefly had Dee find a worry for Carmen's son, especially with the way members of The Family were completely hit. It was that haunting thought of would that happen to the organization she was in that plagued her thoughts. Not for herself, but for the families they all had.

"A build your own car thing, Bluey, but the screwdriver actually works." which was what the kid at heart completely loved. Sure, it sounded stupid out loud, but here she was. "How'd you feel about everything, anyway? Like really? Can only imagine you're upping the tempo on overthinking."

[carmenabalos]

Carmen knew she couldn't predict what would happen to them, but this Hollow was a threat on the scene that was unlike anything they ever had to face before. They had taken out the entire board of the Family right under their noses? Was this really the best one to ally with? Carmen sighed, shooting Diana a look. "I know you are right, but I hate it. I can't let anything happen to any of you." Echo was her family, she'd do anything to keep them safe. "I'll make sure we are safe."

Despite the seriousness of the conversation, and the unspoken worry at the back of her mind of what would happen to Benjie if anything happened to her, she couldn't fight the smile that tugged at the corner of her lips. "He'd love that. He's going to be spoiled by you." She grinned at Diana, but Benjie already called her Aunt Didi. There was no turning back now. "I am overthinking." She sighed. "You know me so well, but for now let's just focus on protecting ourselves. I won't drag you down with me in this overthinking spiral." They'd take advantage of the time with her son out of the house and put their energy towards something productive.

END

[imanixkline]

Yacht Party with Carmen Abalos @carmenabalos

The lack of information was quickly wearing away at her already thin patience, even the challenge of trying to work out what was going on was doing little to quell her irritation. Phone in hand she'd long since forgotten that she was supposed to be conserving its battery, too focused on trying to dig up any kind of clue or evidence about the situation they were in. But signal was avoiding her, no matter which of her usual tricks she employed and so usually serene brow was creased by a deepening frown. There was a sound of footsteps again, coming to a halt next to her and she barely had to glance up to know that it was Carmen. If anyone else was going to succeed where she was currently failing it would be her. "Are you getting anything?" It was a more abrupt greeting than usual but she didn't have it in her to postpone asking the question that was on her mind with passive pleasantries.

[carmenabalos]

Carmen knew something was going to happen tonight. The last time all the gangs of the city had been gathered into one place, that night had ended in fire and carnage. As much as she had been trying to keep her eyes on all of her people during the night, in the mess of everyone being called into the room they were locked into, she had lost sight of Diana. And now with the lights out and tension rising, Carmen had been scouring the room to look for every person she cared for. But as she finished her second sweep of the room it was clear. Diana was missing. "I can't find Diana." Carmen answered as a way of greeting, her voice low. "We need to get out of here so we can find her. I will not let anything happen to her. This has to be the Hollow."

[ardenmoore]

where: the network yacht party who: @carmenabalos & arden moore

"If I never see another guy with a pornstache again, it'll still be too soon." Arden remarked gruffly, taking a seat at the bar beside Carmen. Parties had never been her thing -- no matter the scale, the theme, the context, the raven-haired woman's idea of a good night had never consisted of rubbing shoulders with people that she, frankly, didn't give two shits about. Meeting someone for a drink, a quiet night at the bar, that was far more Arden's speed -- but this was work, more or less, so she tried to frame it that way (with varying success). "Guess I'd rather that than a bunch of guys in tight speedos, though. Theme was good for something, I guess."

[carmenabalos]

Carmen did love a good themed party. She was enough of a social butterfly to enjoy the outings that the city was famous for. Even when she wasn't on the clock representing Echo, she was more than happy to attend such things. Themes only made the events that much more interesting. But tonight, Carmen was working. She was here representing Echo and it didn't take a genius to figure out that the Network would be using this gathering of all the gangs tonight to officially declare if they were still with the Family or not. The hit from the gala had set things in motion, and the Family was out for blood. But as much as all eyes would be on the Network, Carmen knew this would be a good time for the Hollow to strike again. "All those pornstaches are missing are some jazzy guitar riffing." Carmen chuckled, glancing over at the woman who joined her. "You say that but I think I saw a guy go buy in only a speedo and and ascot."

[carmenabalos]

WHO: Troy Windsor @troywindsor LOCATION: The deck

Carmen would be lying if she said she wasn't now more fascinated by the man she had slept with only to have him show up for a meeting seeking help from Echo. What were the chances that he turned out to not only come to her for help, but then ended up being the Attorney General. What were the chances indeed. But he had sparked some interest in her attention due to the highly unlikely situation. She wasn't sure what the taste was for the Network to throw such a lavish event in the wake of their supposed allies losing such vital members but she still was working the crowd for their own advantage. It shouldn't have been too surprising to see him through the crowd, but it still was another instance of their paths crossing. Carmen approached him, grabbing two glasses from a passing waiter and held one out when she got to him. "Careful now, if you smile too much someone might think you are actually having a good time." She teased.

[wildheartcd]

open starter for @carmenabalos

at a bar

Gemma had been watching her since she'd arrived. She'd spent her time watching where she went in an attempt to come up with a game plan on how to break the ice. There wasn't a good way to tell someone that they had a sibling, especially not without her ulterior motives being questioned. The popular bar felt like the easiest way to 'run' into one another and maybe get to know her without having to outright tell her who she was. "Sorry, is this seat taken?" Gemma asked as she let her eyes rise to meet Carmen's gaze.

[carmenabalos]

Carmen didn't often drink alone, but sometimes life called for it. And tonight, all she had wanted was to have a drink in one of her favorite cocktail bars before going home. The sitter still had two hours before she started charging double and Carmen knew she'd be home well before that. The Hollow and Echo's next moves were weighing heavy on her, so she paid no attention to those who tried to catch her gaze. She was in no mood for companionship tonight. But when a woman approached, her Carmen couldn't not answer her. "No, go right ahead." She nodded towards the seat, only now taking stock of the bar that was much more crowded than when she entered and found a spot.