Excursus

(Also "sponsored noninterventional excursus") A wizardly cultural outreach program that involves young wizards visiting other planets for short stays, usually to visit other wizardly groups, family units or facilities. Normally the outreach also involves wizards from other cultures or planets visiting the home or facility of the ones who have gone elsewhere: so the program somewhat resembles the "student exchange" programs of various countries on Earth. Since the transits to other planets can be costly in terms of energy, the worldgating and other transportation requirements are subsidized by the Powers that Be.

Dairine covertly signs herself and Nita up for an excursus before the beginning of WH. However, because she does so without first asking their father for permission, Tom grounds Dairine, and she's required to sit the excursus out. However, Nita does go, and Kit goes with her, filling the other available slot; they spend the spring break period on the planet Alaalu, visiting with that world's only wizard, Quelt, and her family. Dairine and her dad, meanwhile, end up acting act as hosts for the "incoming" wizards on the exchange -- Sker'ret, Filif and Roshaun. (WH)